A Little Folding Of The Hands To Rest

Proverbs 6: 9-11

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. 

Proverbs 19: 15

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

Proverbs 20: 13

Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes and you will be satisfied with food. 

Proverbs 24: 33-34

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. 

As I read 20:13 I was falling asleep in my chair! And God repeats 6:10-11 in 24:33-34, because He knew I needed it reinforced! 

How many times have I sat down just to rest my eyes "for a moment" and fell sound asleep! 

How often have I stayed up too late and had a hard time getting up in the morning! How often have I "slept in" when I didn't have to go anywhere that day! 

How many days have I just schlepped around the house without even getting dressed! 

O my Father, You impressed me with this concept years ago, and I am still working on my ability to have the self-control to maintain some kind of schedule so that I won't waste away the hours and moments and days You give me. 

Father, give me victory over laziness and slothfulness. I seem to get better for a while, then fall back into it again, but not as bad. 

Father, before You came to me and redeemed me, I was trying to be a better person, but each time I fell back then was worse. 

Now I find that my relapses in this matter are not like the other problem I had before, that You healed me of, and I've remained healed. Now when I grow weary and want to sleep in, it's a one-time occurrence, not a continuous habit. 

And the days that happens are getting fewer and farther between. Continue to help me, Father. Show me each day the good work You have for me to do, so that I will be encouraged to be ready each day for whatever You have for me. 

Strengthen me, Father, to accomplish the tasks before me each day, to prepare for what is coming in days to come. Both the work You have for me to do, and also to lean on You when the hard times come. Help me to be fully prepared for both. 

Let my life be a good example to follow, to lead others to You, Father, and into Your ways. Let my walk agree with my words, so that integrity will hold me together. 

And You will receive all the glory, Father. You will be praised and honored and blessed by every tongue in all Creation; in Earth, under the Earth, above the Earth, and in Heaven, and throughout all the New Heaven and New Earth through all eternity, forever and ever!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!