Sleeping with Your Shoes On

(Proverbs 12:24 KJV)  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

From the context we assume that being “diligent” (2742a) means showing up on time for work and putting in good time.  That is true as far as it goes but it doesn’t go far enough.  It also means paying attention.  If you are on guard duty you may never move from your guard post but you are expected to remain awake and alert during your duty hours.  Guard duty goes beyond that.  If I remember my days in the army correctly there was a group of men selected each night who had guard detail.  We had shifts.  When we were not on active alert we still were expected to sleep in the guard barracks and be ready to go at any time.  That meant sleeping with your shoes on.

It is impossible for us to remain on edge every moment of our life but we can find ways to stay prepared and ready to go.  It is based on an inner commitment to righteousness and the Holy God.  There may be times when the Holy Spirit is the only one awake and watching for the enemy but we are expected to be ready to respond.

So?  We are never off duty.  We are never released from the straight life.  We are never allowed to substitute sin for salvation.  Sleep well.