“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” writes David, then adds “The Lord looks down from heaven… to see if there are any… any who seek God.” (Psalm 14:1a,2)
It takes a wise man to seek God, just as it did that very first time when wise men from the East sought out that newborn King. Wise men and wise women still seek Him out today.
Once found, the “faithful and wise servant” (Matt. 24:45) must continue to seek Him out more deeply, more broadly, for this King is an inexhaustible treasure. “In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Paul testified (Col. 2:3). Christ is the Real Gem with Whom the wise saint grows to know more and more, thereby guarding his soul against the lies and the wolves of this world.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves,” Jesus directed. “Therefore be as shrewd as snakes (wise as serpents) and as innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
Jesus told two striking parables contrasting the wise and the foolish.
The first likens attentiveness and obedience to house building…
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matt. 7:24-27)
The second contrasts spiritual preparedness with procrastination…
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.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matt. 25:1 -13)
The storm may come tonight. Will your foundation hold?
The call to meet the Bridegroom may ring out at any time. Will you be ready?
Wise men and wise women will seek Him today.
More tomorrow…
thebrokenrunner 