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It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
REST
God created the 24-hour day as well as the human body. We need rest. Sleep is a blessed gift from the Lord. To rob ourselves of sleep is to rob ourselves of more than a healthy practice; it borders on idolatry. “What is the idol?” you may ask. It could be any number of things— whatever it is you are doing during your waking hours that rob you of a good night’s sleep. The psalmist calls this kind of vain activity during your waking hours, eating the bread of anxious toil. The Hebrew word, העצבים (ha-etz-a-VEEYM), is translated anxious toil or “sorrows” (KJV). It can also be translated “idols,” from the Hebrew root עצב (a-TZAV). Are we trusting in the Lord Jesus for our labors during our waking hours? Or are we extending the work, attempting to accomplish things when we are tired and fatigued? This kind of attitude toward our waking labors can spill into other areas of our lives, such as prayer. We can become so busy “doing” stuff, even laboring for the Lord, that we don’t make time to pray. Prayer is the priority because, as Oswald Chambers said,
“Prayer is not preparation for the battle. Prayer is the battle.”
When we don’t do what is right before the Lord, we find what we do for the Lord either doesn’t get done or is completed sloppily or haphazardly; and most certainly it is not done in faith, and therefore, that labor is a sin (Rom 14:23). When we are well rested, however, having had a good night’s sleep, we may arise with the Sun of Righteousness, who has healing in His wings, and we may submit joyfully and wholeheartedly to how He wishes to build His house and stand watch over His city (Psa 127:1). Unless it is according to the perfect will of the Lord Jesus Christ, whatever we do is vain indeed.
It’s vain to rise up early
When a late bed we keep;
Our labors are but idol’s toil,
Since Christ gives blessed sleep.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
11/3 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 16; Titus 2; Hosea 9; Psalm 126-128
