Matthew 25:1-13 English Standard Version

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹² But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Is it midnight?

We might focus on the bridegroom being delayed but do we pay attention to being drowsy and falling asleep?

Matthew 24:45-47 English Standard Version

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁷ Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Don’t be that servant that keeps looking at the clock.

Psalm 149:1 English Standard Version (ESV) Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!

While I do get some of Psalm 149 with understanding, context sometimes eludes me. This is a common occurrence when reading Old Testament where context is often related to the Jewish experience and I do not have that history.

When reading commentaries about this Psalm we may discover some telling truths that wise men that went before us can share. I discovered this telling truth in Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 149.

“The saints must praise God, saints in profession, saints in power, for this is the intention of their sanctification; they are devoted to the glory of God, and renewed by the grace of God, that they may be unto him for a name and a praise.” M. Henry

The purpose of praise is made a little clearer. While I shy away from words like “must” I have to admit that the results of praise is directly connected to sanctification. The intention of sanctification becomes a focal point here. We are all sanctified and we all should praise God, but it is even more important where those in the profession and power should do so. They are our leaders, they set the tone for all the people whose lives are influenced by their position.

This goes beyond the fellowship of the saints and extends itself into the national discourse and international relationships. If our leaders fail to praise God and glorify God it weakens our sanctification as a nation. Sanctification is our protective covering, our separation from evil. A people set aside to God will find His blessing because we have not forgotten who we are and the God we worship.

How are we doing as a nation? Is our protective covering being weakened?

That is not a political comment, it is spiritual truth.