Watching And Waiting

 "But the wise answered, saying No, lest there should not be enough for us and you;
but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves." Matthew 25:9

In His famous parable of the ten virgins, Jesus teaches the importance of watching and being ready for His return.  The five wise virgins were ready, they had oil for their lamps and were awake awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom.  The five foolish virgins had no oil for their lamps and they were sleeping instead of watching.

The lesson for us to apply is clear.  Oil in the scriptures is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, so when Jesus states that the wise virgins told the foolish to 'buy (oil) for yourselves' He is stating a sobering truth.  The oil of the Spirit is something you can't get from someone else.  You don't get the oil from just hanging out at church.  You can't get it from your parents or spouse or friends.  The oil of the Spirit comes from you having a living vibrant relationship with the Lord, constant in His word and in prayer watching and waiting, not being distracted or lazy.

Look around and take note of the things going on in the world, these are crazy days indeed.  Could it be that the Bridegroom is preparing to return?  This parable of the Lord ought to shake the soul. Do you have oil for your lamp?  Are you wide-awake and watching?