One day when I was spending time with the Lord, He brought to my remembrance an event when I was a child. I asked, "Lord why did I remember that?" I got the impression He wanted to show me something. I dug a little deeper and asked myself what I was feeling like at that time. I knew quickly it was an insecurity about myself. When I tried to remember who all was there, I could only remember one person. I sensed I needed to look up the meaning of their first and last name. Interestingly enough, their first name meant “supplanter” (something or someone who wrongfully takes the place of another) and their last name meant “bridegroom”. I instantly knew that insecurity is one of the things that wrongfully takes the place of our bridegroom.
Insecurity is an uncertainty or anxiety about oneself, lack of confidence, the state of being open to danger or lack of protection. This is the very thing that set King David apart from King Saul and why God was sorry he had made Saul king, because he disobeyed out of insecurity.
“I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” - 1 Samuel 15:11
David on the other hand trusted in God’s defence rather than his own strength, abilities or understanding. He obeyed and left the results up to God, much like a small child trusts a parent.
The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. - 1 Samuel 17:37
As we reposition our gaze on our bridegroom, let’s cut all ties with insecurity, inferiority, pride, and any other thing that takes the place of Him in our lives. We live in an era that it is easy to be distracted by the many things that vie for our attention. May we remember the parable of the 10 virgins. Only half of them made it in to the celebration.
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. - Matthew 25: 1-13