February 6th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

SPIRITUAL PREPAREDNESS  

Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out. . .Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 

Jesus continued to teach about spiritual preparedness. Today’s devotional verses are a quote of a parable Jesus told regarding the need to be spiritually prepared, because as He concluded the parable, “. . .you do not know the day or the hour.”  

By now you may wonder why so many devotions in a row about being prepared for the last day. As you know, I write these devotions following God’s word verse by verse. The consecutive number of devotions are about being prepared for the last day is because Jesus was concerned in His teaching that you will be prepared for His return to judge the living and the dead.   

So, today’s devotion is once again concerned with your spiritual preparedness for the last day. By now you know it is “ . . . he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) All of the virgins had lamps. All had oil. All were equally waiting for Jesus (the Bridegroom) to return. Five realized they needed to be prepared with enough oil whether the wait was long or short. The others took for granted their oil would last.   

Faith in Jesus when you draw your last breath is what matters. Jesus will not judge based upon you having had faith at some time in your life, for eighty percent of your life, or almost to the end of your life. He said, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you eternal life.” 

Prayer: Lord, keep me faithful until I draw my last fleeting breath. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side;  
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain,  
Leave to your God to order and provide;  
In ev’ry change He faithful will remain.  
Be still, my soul; your best, your heav’nly Friend  
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

Be still, y soul; your God will undertake   
To guide the future as he has the past.  
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;  
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.  
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know  
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below. 

Be still, my soul; though dearest friends depart  
And all is darkened in this vale of tears;  
Then you will better know His love, His heart,  
Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.  
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay  
From His own fullness all He takes away. 

Be still, my soul; the hour is hast’ning on  
When we shall be forever with the Lord,   
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,  
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.  
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,  
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.  

Be Stll, My Soul // LSB 752