TREM Devotional 3 March 2026 – Prepare For Opportunities

Biblical Context

Matthew 25 is part of Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives, often called the Olivet Discourse. This particular chapter comes right after His predictions about the destruction of the Temple and His second coming. Chapters 24 and 25 both focus on the importance of readiness and vigilance for the Master’s return. The parable of the ten virgins is a strong story Jesus uses to tell us about preparing for His coming, which is often seen as a sudden, unexpected event, much like the arrival of a bridegroom in ancient Jewish wedding customs. It’s written by Matthew, a tax collector who became one of Jesus’ disciples, aiming his gospel primarily at a Jewish audience to show Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “tarried” from Matthew 25:5. In the original Greek, this word is chronizō (χρονίζω). It means “to take time, to linger, to delay, to be long in coming.” This word doesn’t suggest a mistake or a failure on the part of the bridegroom, but rather a delay, a period of waiting that tests the resolve and preparedness of those waiting. It tells us that sometimes, what we’re hoping for can take longer than we expect, and it’s during this waiting period that our true readiness is shown. It’s not about the bridegroom’s timing being off; it’s about our response to that timing.

Are You Ready for Your Moment?

We’re talking today about being ready for the good things God has for us. Think about the story Jesus tells in Matthew 25:5-9. The bridegroom was taking his time, and all the virgins fell asleep. Then, suddenly, at midnight, there was a loud call: “Look, the bridegroom’s coming! Go out and meet him!” This suddenness is important, because it tells us that God’s timing often comes when we least expect it. It’s easy to get comfortable or even tired during the waiting, but we must remember that God isn’t slow; He’s waiting for the perfect moment.

When that cry went out, every single virgin got up and started trimming their lamps. This tells us something vital: everyone starts with some level of expectation or preparation. But the real test came next. The foolish virgins had no extra oil. They were caught off guard and began to panic, asking the wise ones, “Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.” The wise virgins, though, were calm. They had made plans ahead of time. Their reply wasn’t unkind, but practical: “No, we don’t have enough for both us and you. Go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.”

Opportunities Don’t Send an Email

Our source material makes a really good point: opportunities rarely announce their arrival. They often come suddenly and quietly. They’re not going to send you an email or a text message giving you a heads-up. Instead, they just show up, testing if you’ve been working on yourself, growing, and preparing in secret. Your readiness is what decides if you can grab the good things God puts in front of you.

You know, it’s like a runner training for a race. They don’t just show up on race day and expect to win. They train for months, building stamina, working on their speed, even when no one is watching. Then, when the race day comes, they’re ready. That’s what God wants for us. He wants us to be ready for the race, ready for the business deal, ready for the marriage, ready for the ministry. Are you working on your “oil” right now?

Time and Chance for Everyone

The Bible tells us something that really makes you think in Ecclesiastes 9:11: “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” This verse is so powerful. It’s saying that being the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, or the most skilled doesn’t always guarantee success. What it does promise is that everyone will get their shot. Everyone will have moments of divine opportunity. But here’s the kicker: only those who are ready will actually make the most of those moments.

It means that you might not feel like the most talented person in the room, or the strongest, or even the wisest. But don’t let that stop you. God’s economy works differently. He gives everyone “time and chance.” That means you’re going to get an opening. The real question isn’t if you’ll get one, but what you’ll do when it shows up.

The Defining Moment

You’ve probably prayed for things. You’ve believed for breakthroughs. You’ve waited. But have you stopped to ask yourself: when that door finally opens, will you be ready to walk through it? When your defining moment comes, will you be in a spot to grab it and make it count? This isn’t just about wishing; it’s about doing the work behind the scenes.

The wise virgins had their lamps burning bright because they had enough oil. When the bridegroom came, they went right in with him. They didn’t have to scramble; they didn’t have to explain. They were prepared, and they stepped into their blessing. The foolish virgins, though, were left running around, trying to buy oil at the last minute. They missed their chance. They missed their moment of entry. You don’t want that to be your story.

The message from Bishop Mike Okonkwo is clear: “Be vigilant. Stay spiritually alert. Keep your oil burning. May you never miss your day of visitation in Jesus’ name.” This isn’t just about physical preparation; it’s about spiritual readiness. It’s about staying connected to God, feeding your spirit, and growing your faith even when things seem quiet. Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” This means living carefully, making the most of every chance, and knowing what God wants for you. Don’t let the “evil days” make you careless. Be smart, be aware, and be ready.

So, what are you doing today to add oil to your lamp? Are you praying? Are you studying God’s Word? Are you building your skills? Are you taking care of your health? All these things are part of “keeping your oil burning.” Because when that sudden opportunity arrives, you’ll want to be among the wise, ready to step into everything God has for you.