There is a lot of talk these days about a phenomenon known as “Peak Oil.” Some scientists, geologists and economists are promoting the idea that we are about to reach the halfway point of the amount of conventional oil we have used up since oil production began in 1856.
Recently the CIBC World Markets warned us that $135 oil is just the beginning. They stated that oil may soon hit $225 a barrel. In fact some are suggesting that by the end of this decade we may see oil go higher much than that.
According to some experts, somewhere between now and the next 30 to 40 years, this world will experience a major irrevocable decline in the amount of available oil that will radically change our industrialized society as we know it. Whether this happens or not only time will tell.
But did you know the Bible talks about another form of oil depletion? In Matthew chapter 25 there is a story of 10 young women holding lamps, who are waiting for a wedding festival to begin. As they wait into the late hours of the night for the bridegroom to arrive, the oil in five of the girl’s lamps runs out.
The young women in this story represent those waiting for the return of Jesus at His second coming. The lamps represent the Word of God, and the oil in their lamps represents the Holy Spirit needed in the life of every believer.
Christians have long waited for the return of Jesus to this world. And someday soon the bridegroom will return and take his waiting bride on her eternal honeymoon. “I go to prepare a place for you” Jesus said, “and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)
But until that time, it is up to us who are waiting, to make sure we are storing up the supernatural resources of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. And we do that, by feasting on the Word of God everyday, by communicating with God through vigilant prayer, and by imparting what we know about God’s salvation with others.
And then the Bible clearly states when the time is right, and His people are ready, the bridegroom will come. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14.
We live in a time when there are a lot of people who do not know they are sitting on one of the most precious, valuable, natural resources in the world. It is a natural resource of oil that when possessed, will make us very wealthy. God wants to fill you with the oil of His grace, with His Holy Spirit. He wants you to have a lamp that is burning brightly right unto the end.
So I ask you a very simple question, are you experiencing oil depletion? Are you one of the wise girls who are filled with the Holy Spirit of grace and letting your light shine to the world? Are you reflecting the image of God to those around you, in your family, in your workplace?
God has an ample supply of oil ready to give to anyone, anytime we ask. He is in control of the universe, and to those who are walking in the light and sharing the light of their lamps-the Word of God, Jesus says, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)