“…And they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10
Dear Ones:
There was but one door by which to enter the Ark in the days of Noah. By this singular door Noah and his family would enter into the safety of that Ark. There would come a time, a day, that “…the Lord would shut them in.” (Gen. 7:16) There are two things, among others, to see here that are very important. First, God provided “a way of escape” from the judgement flood that was to come upon the earth. The second thing is that this “way” had to be entered into by a simple, singular opening…a door. There would come a time, a day, an hour, when God would shut and seal that door, thus securing Noah’s family from the outpouring of the wrath of God upon the wickedness of man. At this point we must ask two questions, the first of which is: “Was Noah READY to meet God?” The answer is found in this verse: “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9) There is another question that we must also ask: “Was Noah a READY servant of Christ?” Again, we see the answer to this question: “Make thee an Ark of gopher wood.” (6:14); “And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.” (7:6) Noah was a man who was ready, first to meet God, and secondly, to serve Him.
The obvious applications to this subject of “readiness” is first to ask ourselves the question: “Am I at peace with God, and God with me?” Have I “surrendered my sword” to my Maker, and yielded myself wholly to my Redeemer, who alone, can forgive, cleanse, and give Life? If we have trusted Him to BE our Savior, then we have called upon Him to save us. The proof of such an earnest call from the heart, is the grace received from God to surrender all to Christ as Lord. Then, there is peace, everlasting, unalterable, eternal peace.
But there is another aspect of “readiness” that is essential to grasp, and it has to do with service. We know that the only TRUE, and lasting service for Christ, is that born out of fellowship WITH Him. An example of this is found in Paul’s words: “…and (if I) have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2) We cannot serve Christ if we are not walking with Him in the light….by the Spirit. So, communion with Christ is essential to service for Christ.
With regard to readiness to serve, let us remember that “faithfulness” and “wisdom” are essential, (Matt. 24:45) if we are to be effective, and bearing much fruit. To be faithful, the weight of all care must be cast upon Christ. All entanglements “…with the affairs (the dominating occupations) of this life,” must be dispensed with. If the servant would respond readily to the opportunities given him “…in the Father’s business,” then he must be a believer who does not bear burdens, one whose feet are free to run the race set before him.
Dear Father, give us grace to be at peace with Thee, ready to meet Thee whenever You call. Secondly, give us to be faithful and wise, especially in that holy endeavor of worship and fellowship with Thee. Out of that blessed fellowship, let our hands perform Thy bidding, and our feet run in Thy way, for Thy glory. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad