Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Bill Francis
Morello Hills Christian Church
Observation: Waiting. Waiting on the Lord. Waiting for the Lord. Can anyone be happy while waiting? Like these 10 virgins, I’m a “faller asleeper”– in fact, that place where I fall asleep (often on the couch during a movie, and sometimes when I sit to pray) is a “happy place” for me – a place where my mind settles into a peaceful state. I notice that all ten of these virgins fell asleep, but 5 prepared for it!
Action: Lord, give me rest and help me live in the discipline of preparation. Today (Thursday, March 20) the 17th day of Lent, I will fill my lamp with oil by memorizing a section of Scripture (I am thinking Isaiah 40:28-31(especially vs. 31), How about you?).
OBSERVATION: In this reading I hear a caution to “Be ready. Be sure you have plenty of oil”. In the issues I am praying for, am I prepared to wait for the answer? If God’s intervention is delayed (in my perspective), am I going to have enough oil to last until he comes? If I am worried, frustrated, discouraged, or doubting, then I have run out of oil. If I am persevering in faith, expecting His coming then my supply of oil is sufficient.
ACTION: Today I will do an “oil-check” and be sure that in all areas, I am faithful in prayer, expectant and at peace while I’m waiting. If I’m lacking, I will go to my Source, the Holy Spirit, and ask for his gift of oil, remembering that when I “ask for a fish, my Father wont give a serpent, but will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” What an amazing, faithful, gracious, and mighty God we serve!
Lord, how I run ahead of you. Forgive me.
Let Your dawn be my sunrise- Your dusk my sunset.
Let Your mystery of timing be where I dwell.
Lord, how I think I know. Forgive me.
Let Your knowledge and understanding fill me- more of You, less of me.
Sweet Lord,
Come pace me with Your timing; Oh running mate,
Fill me with Your ways; Ever present teacher,
Sustain me with Your pauses; my Lord and guardian.
Give Grace as I return and align with You.
Thank You.
Amen.
I am struck that although they are waiting, they take steps toward him … they go out to meet him. They know he is coming but they are prepared to wait; those who are prepared to wait longer, know things don’t always happen on the fast timetable they want just because they are eager and expecting. And they rest while they wait, and that doesn’t make them lazy or unprepared! Thank you for pointing that out, Bill.
Sometimes when I’m waiting, that is my activity–I’m not doing anything but sitting watching the road, the clock, whatever. I plan to step out, toward the bridegroom. There are still things to be done in the every day part of living until he comes.
Working on Is. 40:30-31 and remembering that my strength comes form my connection to my Heavenly Father! Hoping to recite it for a funeral I’m conducting tomorrow!
OBSERVE:
Jesus you are telling me be prepared each day for your presence in my life even when it is not at the time I expected.
RESPONSE:
Jesus everywhere I go today I will look for your presence – where I am working, in my home, as I hangout with my friends.
Father I hear you saying be prepared and think before doing.
I need to think and be willing to look at all that could be of I’m not prepared. I Will model preparedness to my children this week by having quick words to be clear on the impact of realistic options& choices.