Burning the Candle at Both Ends
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin M Overfield
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000
Burning the Candle at Both Ends
(A few words that might help someone under a heavy load)
Psalm 127:1, 2, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that
build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
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."
Couple this with these statements about the virtuous woman as described
in Proverbs 31:15 and 18: "She riseth also while it is yet night, ... her
candle goeth not out by night."
Now here is an "apparent contradiction", but I believe the key is to be
found in two things: 1. In the fact that this woman was doing what she did
out of virtuous motives; and, 2. In the words found in Psalm 127:1, "Except
the Lord build ... except the Lord keep."
It is "vain", or worthless for people to labor without depending on the
Lord. It is not healthy to wear oneself out through a self-inflicted
burden -- one which is not God inspired. It is "vain", or worthless, for
people to wear themselves out, when it results in eating "the bread of
sorrows".
By personal experience, I have found that lack of rest can become a
weapon in the hands of the enemy of our souls. Without enough rest, we
often experience feelings of depression and defeat that do not go away until
we go to sleep. Often, I have awakened to find that the darkness had
disappeared and light and hope had taken its place, "for so he giveth his
beloved sleep".
We have probably all heard the saying, "It is better to burn out than to
rust out". That saying has much truth in it, but it is not the infallible
Word of God. One preacher added that he would rather "last
Out". I heartily agree!
The virtuous woman, and virtuous men too, will at times find fulfillment
and joy in wearing out for the benefit of others; but, as a rule, one needs
rest to be at his best for God and others.
Brother T. M. Anderson was mightily used of God, when Jesus paid him a
visit in the middle of the night and gave him a heart-rending burden and a
personal revival. He testified that he went for some time on a minimum of
sleep on a regular basis -- this was during a real revival, not just a
"vain", merely human attempt at having revival. Here we may recognize that
the Lord was certainly building HIS house.
When God and duty requires, it is a heroic, spiritual, and right thing
to sacrifice our selves for God and others. In such a case, God will give
the strength and grace to endure. However, we should seek for balance in
this matter, rather than an "untimely end" or a handicapping of our
usefulness produced by a false sense of "self-sacrifice" for "the cause".
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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