[It is] vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; [For] so He gives His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2(NKJV)
This is not to say that rising up early is wrong. The virtuous wife of Proverbs 31 is an early riser- Proverbs 31:15. Jesus at times would rise up early to pray- Mark 1:35. Neither does this Scripture say that staying up late is wrong. Jesus would at times pray all night- Luke 6:12 It’s the why of the rising up early and staying up late that is being addressed here.This Scripture is against a stressful routine and existence. Eating the bread of sorrows is a life of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress.Work originates in and is of God. But anxious burdensome work where we can’t even rest our minds and bodies isn’t of God and has no enduring fruit in it.For God gives His beloved sleep. This implies its God who gives satisfaction in all things. We should work recognizing it’s God who blesses our work causing us to be fruitful and increase. Proverbs 10:22 Knowing this leads us to be balanced in what we do. First, we work from a position of rest in God, no worries, no pressure. Then we also make enough time to rest and refresh.Work from rest knowing it’s God energizing you and prospering your work. Take time to rest knowing that even when you’re off work God is working.