Devotion
Give Me Oil For My Lamp
by Marnie Pehrson
Over the last few days, the Biblical warning that the Savior gave Peter has been running through my mind, ''behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.'' When you're trying to raise five children to be respectful and loving, it's not always that easy - especially when you have one in that hormonal teenage phase and another in the terrible two's. I must admit, I haven't been the most patient human being on earth lately. I feel a lot like Moses who went up into the mountain to hear the word of the Lord only to return to find the children of Israel partying and worshipping golden calves. My response has been a bit like Moses' as well - getting angry and throwing the tablets to the ground. Although, I believe he was much more justified in his indignation than I have been in mine.
It seems that after great spiritual highs, we often experience spiritual lows. It is as if we must be left to ourselves to see if we will remain true to the light and knowledge we've received -- even when and maybe more especially when -- the pressure intensifies. It's easy to know the way. It's quite another to walk it when circumstances make it more difficult to remain spiritually ''in tune.''
Satan is like a hovering vulture waiting to swoop down and snatch our family members and us. He loves it when we get conceited and feel we've got things figured out or when life is prosperous and we forget to call upon the Lord continually. We can't afford to slacken our pace or lay aside our daily scripture study and prayer. We can't afford to lighten up on teaching our children the correct path. It's a constant vigil, much like that of the 10 virgins who waited into the night for the bridegroom to come.
The five wise virgins had extra oil for their lamps, while the five foolish virgins ran out of oil by the time the bridegroom arrived. They were unable to borrow from others - who needed the oil for their own lamps - so they had to scurry to buy more. By the time the foolish virgins returned, the bridegroom and the rest of the wedding party had already entered the chamber and locked the door. And they were not allowed to enter.
We, like the virgins, can't borrow oil from others when things get stressful. We need our own supply handy. We also can't borrow from ourselves. The foolish virgins couldn't go back in time to five hours earlier when they had enough oil. If the bridegroom had come five hours earlier, they would have been ready, but by the time he arrived, they were out. They did not prepare a way for themselves to replenish their supply.
I have learned from experience that no matter how spiritually in tune we were a year ago, or even last month, it doesn't do us much good today if the pressures come and we've let our oil reserves go dry.
Keeping our lamps full of oil and in good working order is a constant, never-ending process. For some this seems so overwhelming. As one friend lamented, ''It's always testing, testing, testing. It's enough to drive a person crazy.'' But really it's all in our perspective. Tests of our faith are really a blessing. They keep us in the ''ever-ready'' position. They give us the edge when we start floundering. I am grateful for the tests because often I do not realize that I am slipping until I am hit with something that makes me draw on the powers of heaven. It takes that jolt to wake me up to see that I've let my guard down and am not as spiritually ''in tune'' as I should be. Every trial, every test we have is really a gift. If we are prepared and respond properly, each test should teach us something, bring us closer to the Lord, and make us better than we were before it happened.
5 Oils to Fill Our Lamps
There are several things we can do to keep our lamps full of oil so that we are spiritually ready to turn any adversity into a blessing.
1. Watch and pray always that you may escape (Luke 21:36). Be observant. Notice things that are going on in your family and in your life that are potential snares. Don't wait until you or someone you love is caught in Satan's net before you do something to correct the problem. Prayerfully seek guidance in your own spiritual growth and on the behalf of your spouse, children and other family members.
2. Study and live according to the scriptures . Jesus said, ''ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.'' (Matt 22:29) We err in judgment when we do not know or understand the scriptures. A commitment to daily study the word of God can work wonders in our lives as promised in Joshua 1:8. ''This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, and thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.'' Success in life comes when we not only meditate upon the scriptures, but also observe to do what
they say.
3. Seek the Spirit of the Lord and His gifts. Seek spiritual gifts to edify and build the kingdom, your family, and others (1 Corinthians 14:12). Pray for the presence and guidance of the Spirit so that you can be directed in wisdom's paths.
4. Trust and acknowledge the Lord's hand in everything. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ''Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.'' Sometimes when we are faced with adversity, our own mortal understanding makes the situation harder than it has to be. To us, there may be no solution. Our limited understanding and finite minds cannot see the solutions that God sees. With God, nothing is impossible for us (Matthew 17:20). Learn to trust in Him that everything will work together for your good (Romans 8:28).
5. Fast and pray and contribute to those in need. Isaiah 58 is a rich tutorial in the blessings of fasting - which typically means doing without food or water for a 24-hour period while praying for a specific purpose. This is usually accompanied by giving the money that would have been spent on food to the poor and needy. When we do this we are promised, that ''thy light [shall] break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward (rearguard). Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;'' (Isaiah 58:8-9)
Don't wait until things get bad to realize you don't have oil in your lamp anymore. In most cases, it's too late then. On the other hand, if we keep a fresh supply of oil available at all times, we will be better prepared to deal with the adversities that come in life. We will be protected and find comfort and peace. We will be ready to discover the blessings that lie within any adversity.
About the Author
Marnie Pehrson is a wife and mother of 5, an Internet developer, writer & creator of SheLovesGod.com, IdeaMarketers.com, Ads4Homes.com, and Pros-n-Cons.com. She is the president of the International Association of Computer Professionals and also writes on entrepreneurial and technical topics.
