Proverbs 31:18

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."

In the preceding verses we have seen many of the works of the virtuous woman described. From buying fields to planting vineyards, and feeding and clothing family. In this verse we start to see the fruit of her labors. Her merchandise is good. She comes to find how profitable her industry is by the experience resulting from the sale of its product. She sees that her trading is profitable. She is reaping what she sowed by her diligent industry, and she is finding it to be a good harvest. She is reaping the rewards of hard work. She is seeing the results of the labors of her hands. She learns that success results from her labors and she reaps the fruits of hard work.

The second half of this verse describes her as being up late at night. Here was a woman who worked day and night with amazing diligence and fortitude. We already know that she awoke early in the morning, even before the sun came up, and here we see that she also worked late into the night. The godly woman is diligent both day and night, and is able to get the necessary sleep, but not to overindulge.

During the day we normally have our duties and our schedule--things we need to do and places we need to be. Our time is usually well accounted for during the day. But after sunset is usually the part of the day when we have "free time," and it is important to recognize that this time belongs to the Lord. May we be about our Father's business! And then when we finally lie down on our beds, our sleep will be sweet.

With Love,