In the midst of our most pressing temptations, the presence of God provides sustenance and direction. In fact, as a very young granddaughter of one of my good friends says, we are met by God’s providence in our temptations “right in the middle of now.” Wayne E. Oates
“Then the kingdom of heaven is like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them. But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
The sensible ones answered, ‘No there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’
When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’
But he replied, ‘I assure you: I do not know you!’
Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13 (HCSB)
Have you ever walked through a situation so tough that at times you felt alone?
I have.
For me, it’s been a health issue. Those who know me well are aware I’ve struggled with stomach issues for most of my life, and frankly, it just makes some days suck.
It can be isolating because I feel like no one understands what I’m going through – even supportive friends and family. So it’s pretty comforting to know there is one who always understands – and that’s Jesus.
Even Jesus felt alone at times. That seems strange when you think about it, since He’s God and all, but He lived on the earth as one of us, so He has experienced our pain.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” Isaiah 53:3
Difficult as those painful times can be, I’ve discovered that’s when I’m…
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