When The Call Comes
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Most of us have read the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. There were five virgins who were ready all the time, keeping their lamps trimmed and burning, in expectation of the bridegroom's return. But then there were the five foolish virgins that didn't attend to their lamps, and when the call came forth, they didn't have enough oil to light their lamps and wanted to borrow from the other five. But the five who were ready wouldn't lend to the five foolish; for if they had, then they wouldn't have been prepared either.

Our lives are like unto those ten virgins; either we are ready for the call of the Lord, whatever minute of the day He comes back for us, or we are dragging our feet, saying we have plenty of time. My friend, you don't have plenty of time. The Lord never promised us another day, nor minute of the day. Death is as close as the next breath. So be prepared! Some have plenty of warning....but others are taken out without notice, whether by sudden heart attacks, strokes, or accidents. So we must all be ready when He gives the call for us. Don't be like the five foolish virgins and be caught unaware.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, that came to set us free from sin and death. We ask that you stir the hearts of the people today who aren't ready for your call. Arouse them in such a way to get their attention that this is the most important thing on their agenda today - to be ready in an instant to stand before you and give an account of their lives. We pray that each one who comes here today has given their life over to you, repented of their sins, and accepted salvation through the grace of God by faith. We thank you for the sweet peace this brings to one who is reborn into the Kingdom of God and the blessed assurance of eternity with you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.