Staying Spiritually Awake
By George Stroh
July 26, 2021
I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. (Proverbs 24:30, 31)
Assuming that King Solomon wrote this Proverb; I imagine him sneaking out of his palace one early morning (without his security guards). Walking by the field of the sluggard, who was lacking sense, Solomon received some common sense instruction; When I reflected upon it; I looked and received instruction. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest." Then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man. (Provers 24:32-34)
This wise instruction is obviously true in a physical sense, but there is also, I believe, wise instruction for us in a spiritual sense. A neglected field or vineyard will soon deteriorate and so will a neglected spiritual soul. We are, as Christians, to stay spiritually awake and alert, always nourishing and maintaining our souls in God's word. Not doing so will lead to increasing worldliness, anxiety, discouragement and spiritual impoverishment; So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Maranatha!