KEEP THE FIRE

Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11

“"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.  In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.”

“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.  Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’  But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’  Then, while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.”

I give thanks that light is more powerful than darkness.  In a pitch black night, even a tiny flashlight can be the beacon that brings us home.  A single candle allows an entire room to see.  We need to remember that.  No matter how dark the world may get, Christians are the light of the world, the hope of the world, and the darkness can only snuff us out if we let it.  More important, that light can bring us together in power, courage and strength to overcome the world.

There may never be a more important time for Christians to keep the fires of hope burning and to serve as God’s light to the world.  So many people seem utterly lost and unprepared for the trials of these times.  They have forgotten the fundamentals, and cannot anchor themselves.  As the world searches for answers, and panics, Christians have an incredible opportunity to show the world a less materialistic, less stressful lifestyle grounded in the certainty that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  He is one thing which cannot be taken away.  To a world out of options, His way is salvation.  But only if His people are ready to accept the challenges of the day and are prepared to deal with the cynics.

God’s people need to cultivate and protect His light.  How is this done?  Through a radical reliance on God.  Through a contentment that looks beyond the stuff. Through simple refusal to accept the message of the world that the best days are behind us.  We must keep God’s light burning continually.

The line from Psalms, “You care about the anguish of my soul,” is a good starting point.  The people of the world need to hear and experience that God actually cares about their situation.  People need to know they are not alone.  They need a light.

God’s people have a responsibility to be that light.  We understand how God saves. We know that what people regard as the end, God sees as the beginning.  We recognize that these times are a wondrous opportunity to reintroduce Christ into the vocabulary of the world.  We need to get prepared and stay ready.  Our time is coming, quite possibly sooner than anyone might think.