Oil for the Night

Matthew 25

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

If we are to be found standing when the days grow dark, we must possess the vital oil like that described in the parable of the wise virgins; a Holy substance that can be bought for a price and reserved for the day it is required. But what is this resource we will rely on to make it through the night, consumable yet non-transferable in the time it is needed; that which must be acquired in advance, and takes time to earn?

Hebrews 10:36

"... For you have need of endurance"

Endurance is neither needed, nor available in a time of ease. However, every encounter with suffering is an invitation to the marketplace of Heaven where everything we need to be strengthened and overcome is available for us to buy with currency of our Faith. James writes, "count it all Joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience [constancy, enduring perseverance] have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

When we walk through trials hand in hand with the Helper, looking to Him every time we grow weary and want to give up, His grace will form and expand within us character like a resevoir that can collect and store up the oil of endurance for the day of trouble. When we let Him work in us, He prepares and stores up within us everything the night will require, so that when it comes, we will be found "lacking nothing".

Dear Lord, thank you that everything we need is found in you. We know that every struggle that we face on this earth is an opportunity to grow and be made more like you, more ready for you. Help us, by your Spirit, to store up the precious oil of endurance so that when the night comes, we will be found with enduring oil to stand when others cannot. Bless us, I pray, with the strength to stand and remain faithful in trials while you stretch and form in us the character that will hold the oil we need to make it to the end. Above all else, we want to glorify you and your Son in every trial. Holy Spirit, help us.