Pastor E.A Adeboye, The General Overseer (RCCG)
Memorise:
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of
the creation.
2 Peter 3:4
Read: Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the
kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went
forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them
were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took
oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight
there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those
virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish
said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise
answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they
went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to
the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came
also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered
and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore,
for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Message
Imagine that while running a marathon, with all your focus
on the finish line, you suddenly run out of energy; would it be easy for you to
complete the race? Definitely not! Most likely, you would have to pull out of
the race. We see this scenario repeatedly playing out itself in the Christian
race. Many people who started the Christian race, who were expected to run the
race to the end, have suddenly run out of steam and are falling by the wayside.
When the 10 virgins in our Bible reading started their race, they all hoped to
finish it. One lesson this parable teaches us is that the race may be longer
than expected. If anything, you must plan to run for as long as it takes until
you reach the finish line. Only five of the virgins realised the need to
sustain their resolve, and so they were careful to carry some extra oil.
Beyond what every other person is doing, what additional
preparations are you making and what extra precautions are you taking with
respect to the race set before you? If you truly want to reach the end of this
Heaven-bound journey, you will need more steam in your reserves. You will need
more of the anointing, because it's not by power nor by might that victory is
secured. The anointing that works miracles, signs and wonders is different from
the anointing that gives grace to hold the baton till the very end. Your zeal to
continue needs to be renewed daily. May you never lack the will or the power to
run the race!
We are in a marathon: the course of which can sometimes be
longer than expected. It can also be more stressful and more demanding than we
ever thought. When I got saved, most of us who were saved at that time believed
that Jesus would most likely come back within 10 years of our salvation. I was
a lecturer then, and on several occasions, some students would come to me
asking "Since the Lord is coming very soon, why are we studying?" I
told them that since Jesus asked us to occupy until He comes, they needed to
continue their studies and do other legitimate things, especially since we were
not told the exact time or day of His coming. A colleague of mine who was supposed
to pursue a PhD programme even cancelled it. He believed that Jesus would come
really soon, and so acquiring a PhD would be useless. Over 30 years down the
line, we are still waiting for the Lord. Don't be tired of waiting for the
Lord's return. Occupy yourself with the things He gave you to do, and keep
being focused. You shall surely reach the end of the race, and you will finish
strong in Jesus' Name.
Action Point:
In expectation of the Lord Jesus, live each day as if it
were your last, but do not neglect to do all that is expected of you.
Bible in one year:
Exodus 15:22-17:16; Romans 9:1-18
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE
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