Psalm 119: 54 “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” KJV

The novel The Pilgrimage, based on this verse from the Psalms, chronicles the beginning of Rachel’s marriage to her beloved, Christopher, and the journey of their new life together. The Pilgrimage begins with Rachel and Christopher awaiting their forthcoming nuptials. Their families are overjoyed at the prospect of their union and, in the chapters that open the novel, they spend days and weeks preparing for the happy event.

The joyful couple, at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, retreats to their honeymoon cottage to begin their life as husband and wife.

Upon their return home, they settle into a comfortable lifestyle blessed with a degree of normalcy in spite of their celebrity. However, as time passes and they endeavor to become more deeply engaged in the political arena, to assist in the election of a conservative candidate with values they support, the couple encounters circumstances that place them both in positions of danger, bringing them to a place of danger, causing them to suffer dramatically.

The symbolism behind this story is really quite simple: Rachel, a symbol of the church, marries Christopher, a symbol of Christ. Rachel’s commitment to Christopher symbols the commitment a new believer makes to Christ when they accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. KJV

Honeymooners experience a period of bliss, where their newly found faith carries them to places of ecstasy. However, in striving to serve the Lord, and grow in wisdom and maturity, they may begin to experience the onslaught of the devil’s attacks, which can bring both pain and suffering.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: KJV

The Pilgrimage is designed to teach believers the importance of meditating on and following God’s laws. As the psalmist wisely declares, there is great joy to be found by those who delight in God’s commandments. He has given them to us as a guide; we must live by them in order to find comfort and security.

Psalm 119:15-16
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. KJV

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. KJV

During each man’s earthly life, he will encounter gladness and joy, and trials and tribulations. Those who hide God’s word in their hearts will be able to sing and rejoice regardless of the circumstances they may face because they are strangers just passing through this life journeying on to a better place.

Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. KJV

Rachel learns a great deal during this phase of her pilgrimage, encountering both joy and sorrow, while growing in wisdom and maturity.