Memorise: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
(Matthew 20:16)
READ: Matthew 25:1-13; BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 29:1-30:21; Psalm 119:33-48
Message:
There were many virgins in the land but only ten were chosen. Before the ten were chosen, you can be sure all other virgins would have been called. This scenario is seen in the book of Esther. When the king wanted another wife to replace Vashti, he called all the virgins together so that he could choose one of them. If you are a minister of God, you are already called but possibly not chosen.
Experience has shown that many ministers of God will not make Heaven. The chosen are selected to be special (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are also chosen to be peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2). As a chosen people of God, everyone should see you as peculiar without you saying a word. The chosen must be precious (1 Peter 2:4). Are you precious to God? Have you brought yourself into a relationship with God so that if you die today, God will notice that somebody has died? The chosen will be defended tremendously against his enemies (Isaiah 41:9-13). The first reason for choosing the twelve apostles was for companionship. This is very important, but this quality is lacking in the life of many ministers of God.
As for the ten virgins, nobody told them when the bridegroom would arrive. Watch, because you do not know when the bridegroom will come (Matthew 25:13). You must be extra careful. The foolish were careless while the wise were careful. The five that took extra oil decided to be extra careful. They were chosen from a big competition and they knew that another competition might just be ahead. As admonished in Ephesians 6:13-14, when you have done all things to stand, stand steadfastly. You never know where your next test will come from. While you are thanking God for winning one competition, another may be starting. The chosen will always forget past successes because they know they have not reached their goal yet.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
Forget past success because you have not yet reached your goal. The five wise virgins knew they had been chosen to go and meet the bridegroom, but the bridegroom had not come yet. They knew that if their oil should run low, there would be no time to go home for more oil. Once you lay your hands on the plough, you cannot look back. To avoid looking back, the ones chosen must take extra precautions from the start.
Key Point: There is great danger when one relaxes in the midst of unfinished business.
Source: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 14, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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