1 00:00:02,730 --> 00:00:13,070 Speaker 1: Life Audio Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, 2 00:00:14,030 --> 00:00:18,430 Speaker 1: a calming scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end 3 00:00:18,510 --> 00:00:21,489 Speaker 1: each day with God's Word in your mind and on 4 00:00:21,530 --> 00:00:26,049 Speaker 1: your heart. Right after these short words from our sponsors, 5 00:00:26,890 --> 00:00:30,950 Speaker 1: we will reflect on tonight's scripture and Matthew chapter 25 6 00:00:30,950 --> 00:00:45,010 Speaker 1: The evening reflection is written by Britt Mooney and read 7 00:00:45,170 --> 00:00:53,229 Speaker 1: by Kyle Norman. Matthew chapter 25 At that time, the 8 00:00:53,270 --> 00:00:56,550 Speaker 1: kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took 9 00:00:56,570 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom, Five 10 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:04,420 Speaker 1: of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish 11 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil 12 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,330 Speaker 1: with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars 13 00:01:11,530 --> 00:01:15,970 Speaker 1: along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time 14 00:01:16,010 --> 00:01:19,610 Speaker 1: in coming, and they all had become drowsy and fell asleep. 15 00:01:21,090 --> 00:01:24,730 Speaker 1: At midnight, the cry rang out, Here is the bridegroom! 16 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,809 Speaker 1: Come out to meet him! Then all the virgins woke up, 17 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 18 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:38,780 Speaker 1: Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out. No, 19 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,110 Speaker 1: they replied. There may not be enough for both us 20 00:01:42,290 --> 00:01:45,970 Speaker 1: and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and 21 00:01:46,030 --> 00:01:49,870 Speaker 1: buy some for yourselves. But while they were on their 22 00:01:49,910 --> 00:01:53,990 Speaker 1: way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins 23 00:01:54,010 --> 00:01:56,910 Speaker 1: who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, 24 00:01:57,590 --> 00:02:03,500 Speaker 1: and the door was shut. Later the others came also. Lord, Lord, 25 00:02:03,610 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: they said, open the door for us. But he replied, 26 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: truly I tell you, I do not know you. Therefore 27 00:02:12,260 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: keep watch, because ye do not know the day or 28 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: the hour. Again it will be like a man going 29 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: on a journey who called his servants and entrusted his 30 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, 31 00:02:27,130 --> 00:02:30,700 Speaker 1: to another two bags, and to another one bag. each 32 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 1: according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 33 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: The man who had received five bags of gold went 34 00:02:37,820 --> 00:02:41,089 Speaker 1: at once and put his money to work and gained 35 00:02:41,220 --> 00:02:45,750 Speaker 1: five bags more. So also the one with two bags 36 00:02:45,930 --> 00:02:49,150 Speaker 1: of gold. He gained two more. But the man who 37 00:02:49,190 --> 00:02:52,810 Speaker 1: had received one bag went off, dug a hole in 38 00:02:52,850 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: the ground, and hid his master's money. After a long time, 39 00:02:58,060 --> 00:03:01,340 Speaker 1: the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 40 00:03:02,470 --> 00:03:04,790 Speaker 1: The man who had received five bags of gold brought 41 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:08,930 Speaker 1: the other five. Master, he said, you entrusted me with 42 00:03:08,970 --> 00:03:13,310 Speaker 1: five bags of gold. See, I've gained five more. His 43 00:03:13,350 --> 00:03:18,500 Speaker 1: master replied, well done, good and faithful servant. You have 44 00:03:18,510 --> 00:03:21,340 Speaker 1: been faithful with a few things. I will put you 45 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness. 46 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,630 Speaker 1: The man with two bags of gold also came, Master, 47 00:03:30,750 --> 00:03:34,350 Speaker 1: he said, you entrusted me with two bags of gold. See, 48 00:03:34,430 --> 00:03:39,370 Speaker 1: I gained two more. His master replied, well done, good 49 00:03:39,510 --> 00:03:42,930 Speaker 1: and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things. 50 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:46,130 Speaker 1: I will put you in charge of many things. Come 51 00:03:46,490 --> 00:03:50,550 Speaker 1: and share your master's happiness. Then the man who had 52 00:03:50,610 --> 00:03:56,250 Speaker 1: received one bag of gold came. Master, he said, I 53 00:03:56,330 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you 54 00:03:59,810 --> 00:04:03,210 Speaker 1: have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 55 00:04:04,150 --> 00:04:06,350 Speaker 1: So I was afraid, and I went out and I 56 00:04:06,450 --> 00:04:10,250 Speaker 1: hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what 57 00:04:10,310 --> 00:04:16,620 Speaker 1: belongs to you. His master replied, You wicked and lazy servant! 58 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: So you knew that I harvest where I do not 59 00:04:20,620 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: sow and gather where I have not scattered seed. Well then, 60 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:27,380 Speaker 1: you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers. 61 00:04:27,980 --> 00:04:30,340 Speaker 1: so that when I returned, I would have received it 62 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,940 Speaker 1: back with interest. So take the bag of gold from him, 63 00:04:35,420 --> 00:04:37,100 Speaker 1: and give it to the one who has ten bags. 64 00:04:38,140 --> 00:04:41,700 Speaker 1: For whoever has will be given more, and they will 65 00:04:41,740 --> 00:04:45,700 Speaker 1: have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they 66 00:04:45,750 --> 00:04:49,270 Speaker 1: have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless 67 00:04:49,290 --> 00:04:52,570 Speaker 1: servant outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping 68 00:04:52,690 --> 00:04:56,570 Speaker 1: and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of Man comes 69 00:04:56,610 --> 00:05:00,180 Speaker 1: in glory, and all the angels with him. He will 70 00:05:00,220 --> 00:05:03,540 Speaker 1: sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be 71 00:05:03,580 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: gathered before him, and he will separate the people one 72 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 73 00:05:11,250 --> 00:05:13,460 Speaker 1: He will put the sheep on his right and the 74 00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:17,270 Speaker 1: goats on his left. Then the king will say to 75 00:05:17,310 --> 00:05:20,470 Speaker 1: those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by 76 00:05:20,510 --> 00:05:24,370 Speaker 1: thy father. Take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you, 77 00:05:24,870 --> 00:05:27,950 Speaker 1: since the creation of this world. For I was hungry, 78 00:05:28,089 --> 00:05:30,969 Speaker 1: and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, 79 00:05:31,110 --> 00:05:34,610 Speaker 1: and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, 80 00:05:34,710 --> 00:05:37,990 Speaker 1: and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you 81 00:05:38,050 --> 00:05:41,010 Speaker 1: clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. 82 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,920 Speaker 1: I was in prison, and you came to visit me. 83 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:49,659 Speaker 1: Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we 84 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,740 Speaker 1: see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give 85 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: you something to drink? When did we see you as 86 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 1: a stranger and invite you in? Or needing clothes and 87 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,730 Speaker 1: clothe you? When did we see you sick or in 88 00:06:02,810 --> 00:06:06,890 Speaker 1: prison and go and visit you? The king will reply, 89 00:06:07,710 --> 00:06:10,910 Speaker 1: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of 90 00:06:10,970 --> 00:06:13,950 Speaker 1: the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you 91 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,940 Speaker 1: did for me. And then he will say to those 92 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: on his left, Depart from me. You who are cursed 93 00:06:20,820 --> 00:06:23,919 Speaker 1: into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 94 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:30,119 Speaker 1: I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 95 00:06:30,610 --> 00:06:33,030 Speaker 1: I was a stranger and you didn't invite me in. 96 00:06:33,690 --> 00:06:36,130 Speaker 1: I needed clothes and you did not close me. I 97 00:06:36,170 --> 00:06:38,590 Speaker 1: was sick and in prison and you did not look 98 00:06:38,710 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: after me. They also will answer, He will reply, Truly 99 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 1: I tell you, whatever you did not do for one 100 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,380 Speaker 1: of the least of these, you did not do it 101 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: for me. And then they will go away to eternal punishment, 102 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:15,870 Speaker 1: but the righteous to eternal life. Delays make us lose hope. 103 00:07:17,430 --> 00:07:21,110 Speaker 1: God promises reward, that all things work together for good 104 00:07:21,190 --> 00:07:25,020 Speaker 1: to those who love and follow him. Yet his timing 105 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:29,550 Speaker 1: works differently than our expectations sometimes. And it seems like 106 00:07:29,970 --> 00:07:33,870 Speaker 1: something we desire or hope for will never happen. We 107 00:07:33,910 --> 00:07:38,410 Speaker 1: get discouraged or distracted or simply caught up in other things. 108 00:07:40,210 --> 00:07:43,430 Speaker 1: Galatians chapter 6 verse 9 tells us not to grow 109 00:07:43,490 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: weary in doing good. Why? For in due season we 110 00:07:49,220 --> 00:07:52,740 Speaker 1: shall reap if we do not lose heart. If we 111 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,810 Speaker 1: do not lose heart. the Bible says don't give up. 112 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:02,130 Speaker 1: Or something similar hundreds of times, which means we all 113 00:08:02,210 --> 00:08:08,470 Speaker 1: need this encouragement. Matthew 25 includes three parables, each with 114 00:08:08,530 --> 00:08:13,210 Speaker 1: encouragement for reward and a warning for losing heart. If 115 00:08:13,270 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: we maintain our spiritual life, we get to attend a 116 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:22,270 Speaker 1: heavenly wedding feast. if we continue to invest our gifts 117 00:08:22,810 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: and the gospel into this world, then we get even 118 00:08:26,260 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: more kingdom wealth. If we give to the needy and 119 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: the marginalized, we enter heavenly glory. And we are warned 120 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,260 Speaker 1: that the opposite is also true. If we give up 121 00:08:38,380 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: on any of those, we get punishment and separation. We 122 00:08:44,330 --> 00:08:47,750 Speaker 1: will reap what we sow in the kingdom. Our work 123 00:08:47,790 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: for Christ won't be in vain. God is faithful to 124 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 1: fulfill his promises. Let us not lose heart in our 125 00:08:54,620 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: season and see the harvest that he so desires to 126 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:06,970 Speaker 1: give us. Heavenly Father, strengthen my heart when delays tempt 127 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:10,830 Speaker 1: me to lose hope. Help me trust your timing and 128 00:09:10,870 --> 00:09:13,310 Speaker 1: remain faithful in doing the good work that you've put 129 00:09:13,350 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 1: before me. Guard me from discouragement, distraction, and weariness. Fill 130 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:22,340 Speaker 1: me with confidence that your promises are true and that 131 00:09:22,380 --> 00:09:25,900 Speaker 1: you will bring a harvest in the right season. Teach 132 00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:29,579 Speaker 1: me to invest my gifts, share your word, and to 133 00:09:29,620 --> 00:09:33,940 Speaker 1: care for those in need with perseverance and joy, expecting 134 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,590 Speaker 1: you to keep your promises. Keep my eyes fixed on 135 00:09:37,620 --> 00:09:40,750 Speaker 1: Christ and the eternal reward that you have prepared for 136 00:09:40,790 --> 00:09:45,710 Speaker 1: your people. Make me steadfast and faithful until the day 137 00:09:45,830 --> 00:09:52,630 Speaker 1: I see your harvest. In Jesus' name. Amen. How did 138 00:09:52,650 --> 00:09:56,460 Speaker 1: tonight's scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the 139 00:09:56,500 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 1: Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. Thank you for listening to 140 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:13,410 Speaker 1: Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture was read from the New 141 00:10:13,570 --> 00:10:20,729 Speaker 1: International Version by Biblica. All rights reserved. Be sure to 142 00:10:20,809 --> 00:10:24,870 Speaker 1: follow our sister show, Your Daily Bible Verse, on Apple 143 00:10:25,070 --> 00:10:30,620 Speaker 1: or Spotify. By following Your Daily Bible Verse and Your 144 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: Nightly Scripture, you can be sure that your day begins 145 00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:50,310 Speaker 1: and ends centered on the Word of God. Thank you.