THE PRAYER OF THE VIGILANT
“Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light* up my eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death”
Psalm 13:3 (ESV)
Within this day of trial, as the Bridegroom tarries and the lamps of the virgins burn late into the night, the vigilant pray and fight the sleep of death. There is a slumber that creeps over the hearts of His Own in the waning hours of the night. The true test of faith is to remain watchful, diligent, and caring for others until He returns. It is in occupying ourselves in the service of Him that we remain faithful to the testings of the night. Having our lamps trimmed, our hearts awake and our eyes looking for Him we continue to “contend for the faith” that was given unto us.
“Blessed is the man that heareth me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting at the posts of my doors”
Proverbs 8:34
The danger of the sleep of death is one of subtlety and deceit. Those who are held in its grip are unaware that it has taken hold. It is in the occupation of ministering unto Him, as we give bread to our brothers and sisters that we stay in the battle of this hour.
“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life…”
Proverbs 19:15-16 (ESV)
One of the greatest trials of our faith is the one of slumber and self-satisfaction. When all seems well and our provisions are overflowing; it is here where the truth of our relationship with Him is revealed.
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar;
it shall never go out…”
Leviticus 6:13
THE PRAYER OF THE VIGILANT
Keep my heart focused, my eyes illuminated, and my desire fixed upon Thee – My Only Hope and the Keeper of my soul.
Related Post: Elements of Faith – The Fire of God
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“It is perilous to separate thinking rightly, from acting rightly. He is already half false who speculates on truth and does not do it. The penalty paid by him who speculates on truth without doing it, is, that by degrees the very truth he holds becomes a falsehood“
FW Robertson
*NOTE: Hebrew: אור (Hiphil) This verb is in the Imperative type speaking of desperation and intensity of need or purpose
1c1) to give light, shine (of sun, moon, and stars)
1c2) to illumine, light up, cause to shine, shine
1c3) to kindle, light (candle, wood)
– Brown-Driver-Briggs
Brian Troxel
