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I. LIFE AS A DISCIPLINE.

1. The changes of life often bring us nearer to the changeless God.

2. Bereavements teach us to set our affections on things above.

3. The heavy trials of life often remind of past sin and cause despondency, and yet reveal the wisdom and love of God.

II. LIFE AS A PILGRIMAGE.

1. Life is long in anticipation, but short in retrospect.

2. Life is bright in anticipation, and sad in retrospect.

3. Life as a pilgrimage is an incentive to effort (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11-25).

4. Life as a pilgrimage is an encouragement to endurance.Conclusion:

1. What cause we have for gratitude, trust, hope!

2. To what are you looking forward?

3. What effect has your hope upon your life (1 John 3:3)?

4. Who is your guide? Self, Satan, or God?

(A. F. Joscelyne, B. A.)

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KJV: And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

WEB: Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred thirty years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage."