Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
One of the primary results of a faithful adherence to the instructions of God's word, is that it creates a good balanced life in those who adopt its teachings. Our passage of scripture in Ecclesiastes teaches us that there is a time for everything, in other words, every thing we do has its rightful place and should therefore be arranged in the right order of priority. This principle also applies to appropriate seasons of restful sleep after reasonable hours of gainful employment.
A well known metropolis right here in America, famous for its incessant activity and busy night life, is often referred to as "the City that never sleeps". However, as Christians we could not incorporate that maxim into our thinking, for then we would be living in violation of the great principles laid out in Ecclesiastes chapter 3.
After the "Great Recession" of 2007 settled in, many families were put on the bread line, many persons were faced with financial hardships, and very many individuals lost their jobs. As a result, many are now forced to work long, weary hours in order to put food on the table and to supply life's basic necessities. However, in our endeavor to recover from what has been an extremely difficult period, we should be careful not to go to extremes in violating the principle of rest. There is a time to work, and a time to refrain from working, and even though Jesus Christ, by His example, encourages the cultivation of industrious habits, yet it was the very same Jesus who once turned to His disciples and said "come ye apart by yourselves and rest awhile". In other words, even in the spreading of the good news of salvation, the disciples were not to wear themselves out, by continuous preaching and ministry, without any time for proper rest and quiet reflection.
The instruction that Christ then gave to His disciples, also applies to us in our day, for it is an echo of Biblical principles which should always govern our lives. Let's read a few of them:
Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1st Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
One of the dangers of constantly pushing ourselves beyond reasonable limits, is that when we finally lay down to rest, we often find it difficult to unwind, because our minds are still busy with the thoughts and businesses of the day. But this is not the will of God, according to the Bible. Let's read:
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
As Christians, we should allow our habits and thought patterns to be guided by the word of God in everything. The practices that abound in secular society should never become the norm for the Christian. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches should not be permitted to "choke" the Word, thus making it unfruitful in our lives. May God grant us His grace that the necessary changes to our lifestyles may be made, so that in all that we do, God may be glorified and our lives enhanced. " Good night" and God bless!