PODCAST
Wait and Watch
November 20th, 2012
James 5:7-12
Wait means to stand firm and stay put. The prophet Habakkuk tells us, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (2:3).
A friend of mine was dying. As his family stood around his bed, he awoke and said, “I just saw my mansion.” Then he closed his eyes. His daughter bent close and said, “Daddy, tell us about it.” For a moment there was no response. Then my friend opened his eyes and said he could not describe in words the glory he had seen. His words encouraged us to wait for the coming of the Lord and not quit.
In waiting we anticipate. As we see things occurring around Israel and the Middle East, we can be reassured that Jesus is about to come for his Church. Mark 13:29 says, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” To observe the news and read the Bible is to realize that the end of time is near.
May we keep the faith while waiting and watching.
November 20th, 2012 at 5:08 am
“May we keep the faith while waiting and watching.”
Try focusing on the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) while we wait.
It appears that the virgins in the parable represent innocent ones (those who have had their sins cleansed by faith in Jesus); and, the number 10 represents the fingers on our hands. (Fingers are members of the body that assist with the dexterity and skill of the body.)
The five virgins that are prepared with the extra oil for their lamps represent those on the “right hand”; and the five that weren’t prepared represent those on the “left hand”.
The oil (a combustible chemical) represents those that have that “extra” anointing love (Matthew 22:36-37) who can relight their lamps should they fall asleep. (Luke 11:35-36)