“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13 NIV

Matthew 25:1-13 gives a vivid picture of some virgins who were all tasked to keep their lamps burning. Half of them did and were found ready by the bridegroom whilst the other half missed the opportunity. And the reason… they were not prepared.

Often-times the passage is applied to various situations to instil the principle of readiness. I have this saying I say constantly: “I will always be at the right place, at the right time, found doing the right thing”; it’s my motto but also a declaration I speak over myself in the mornings. It’s important to understand the versatility of the word, in that we receive much revelation from the same passages, however this passage really speaks directly to the coming of Christ.

Being prepared seems difficult in this generation and it’s mainly because we’ve waited so long. Sometimes the repercussions of the wait cause a sluggish attitude, tiredness and distraction.

I believe this is why Jesus spent a good amount of time with the people to warn them to be ready. When He finished the specific story, He finished with “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13 NIV. In the following sections, He continues in different ways to tell them to be ready and/or to warn them of the consequences of falling away or wasting time.

In all of this, my question is, what do we do to keep watch? Let’s start with the definitions. Collins Dictionary states, “If someone keeps watch, they look and listen all the time, while other people are asleep or doing something else, so that they can warn them of danger or an attack,” or to “pay attention to what is happening, so that you can take action at the right moment.”

Some associations to the phrase are to be vigilant, monitor, be alert, to observe and be on guard.

Keeping watch does not mean there is no movement at all. An example of this is how mothers are extremely good at multitasking. I often watch as my mum would play something on the TV or put the radio on. She’s listening, but as she’s listening she’s washing the dishes or cooking, even sometimes talking to us. It’s a natural instinct for her to be doing one thing while remaining focused, but it doesn’t stop her from completing other tasks simultaneously. In the same manner, we are to be watchful and ready for King Jesus but still embark on the assignments we’ve been given to accomplish in life.

In action as a Christian, this means:

1. Spending time with God in private prayer and worship. This helps to develop intimacy. Keeping watch through prayer is also something Jesus warned Peter, James and John to do in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was taken to be crucified. They kept falling asleep and He kept coming to them and said, “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” Matthew 26:40-41 NIV
2. Walking with the Holy Spirit daily. This helps to fight the searing of our consciousness (knowing good from evil) and being empowered to overcome weaknesses.
3. Fasting. This helps with sharpening discernment and killing the fleshly desires.
4. Hold fast to your faith in Christ Jesus; Hebrews 11:6 NIV states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
5. Keep in check your biblical doctrines. If it’s not in the Word, then don’t align yourself with it.
6. Spending time with the Body of Christ. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV. This is not just an instruction, it’s guidance that comes with benefits, one being the building of your faith.
7. Walk in purpose. As you do so, you are enabled to shape a legacy and give back to humanity in a way that God treasures.

I believe that there is so much more we could add, but grasping these aspects first makes everything else flow. It can be easy to get caught up in the current distractions, but always remember there is something much greater we are waiting for.

So, by the grace of God, continue to be prepared in all areas of your life but ensure priority one is being ready for the Son of Man.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, the way has been difficult and tiring, especially seeing the awful things that are happening in our world today. There are many distractions and temptations that sometimes cloud our ability to remain alert and ready through prayer, worship and more. But today I come before you to acknowledge that the hour has come and everything we’ve been doing is in preparation for your arrival. In the interim, while we wait, please help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to remain ready, vigilant and steadfast in faith. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, “My grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength is made perfect in weakness”; holding on to this scripture, I pray that where I’m struggling to keep watch, you will help me to stay focused, vigilant and hopeful for your set time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

If these quiet-time reflections are blessing you, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments based on the questions mentioned earlier in this piece. Don’t forget to share with others, and subscribe so you can stay up to date with future posts. ❤

Ruth xx