Let us look at the wise and foolish virgins today.

The difference between the wise and foolish virgins is the value they placed on the oil. The wise ones paid the price of intimacy daily. The oil and wick work in unison.

This is time to reset our hearts, our walk with God, and develop intimacy with Him. Don’t squander away this time because it is not coming back. This is the warning and we would be wise to heed this.

The foolish virgins are not evil people. They just did not value intimacy with Jesus. They go to the others and ask them for some oil. No one can give that to you. You have to pay the price and buy it. It means you have to be willing to give up something in exchange for it. You need to invest time with God and forge a history with Him. It is not transferable.

No one can lay hand on you and give it to you. No one can pray you into intimacy. I feel that is the picture of the foolish ones going to the wise ones asking for oil. It’s like “pray for me”, “lay hands on me”. No, it won’t work. You have to do something to cultivate intimacy with God and get ready for Jesus's return. We have to be that bride that has made herself ready.

There is a cleansing and a beautification process like Queen Esther went through. She took the trouble to find out what pleased the King. Do I know what pleases my King?

What does intimacy look like?

It is a close bond between two people that develops over time. It is progressive as time is spent in each other’s presence. It is dynamic, i.e., you can start well but if you do not maintain it, the lamp can go dry. The intimacy can diminish. The responsibility to keep it alive lies with us.

V13 – Watch. Stay alert, vibrant. The opposite is sleepy, halfhearted, unaware, no prayer life.

What are you watching for?

What is happening in your heart: the influences that are affecting you? Rebuild the altar of prayer and worship by cutting off other things.

Work – keep making sure your oil flask is full.

Pray- always goes hand in hand with watching.

Watch for His return. Do not lose sight of eternity.

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF

What am I doing to get ready for the greatest marriage of all time?

What habits or lifestyle choices do I need to get rid of to be prepared for Jesus’ return?