Scripture (The Message):
“The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.” – Matthew 25:5
Devotional:
Waiting is one of the hardest things to do in our modern world. We are used to instant results—one-click shopping, high-speed internet, food delivery in minutes. In this fast culture, delay often feels like failure. But in God’s economy, delay is not denial.
In The Message Bible, Jesus tells us, “The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.” (Matthew 25:5). The long wait for the bridegroom tested everyone. But the delay wasn’t a cancellation of the wedding—it was part of the plan.
This parable reminds us that God’s timing often stretches beyond our expectations. You may be waiting for a job breakthrough, marriage, healing, or a financial turnaround, and it feels like God is late. Meanwhile, you scroll through social media and see others celebrating what you’ve been praying for. That can be discouraging. But Scripture shows us that God uses waiting seasons as preparation seasons.
Think about Abraham waiting decades for Isaac, Joseph spending years in prison before promotion, or Hannah praying through barrenness before Samuel was born. Each delay was a setup for something greater. God was not denying them; He was preparing them.
Patience in delay is not idle waiting. It’s active faith—continuing to pray, serve, grow, and trust. The wise virgins kept oil in their lamps, staying ready even when the bridegroom tarried. Their preparation paid off. Likewise, while you wait, you are called to keep your “oil” filled—stay spiritually alert, keep building yourself, and trust God’s perfect timing.
Prayer:
Father, help me trust that Your delays are never denials. Give me patience when life feels slow, and strengthen me to stay faithful, prayerful, and prepared. Teach me to see waiting as growth, not rejection, and to rest in Your perfect timing. Amen.
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