The quote is, “I’ve never met a godly person who slept late!” I heard it in my evangelism class that was taught by Dr. Landum Leavell who was president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at the time.
Much is written about mornings in the Scripture. It shouldn’t be lost on us that Jesus’ rose from the dead “early in the morning.”
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he (Jesus) departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
John 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.
John 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
Pr 6:9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Pr 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.
Pr 20:13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
Those who love sleep are not viewed positively in the Scripture (Excluding those with medical problems or taking medication of course). Jesus got up early for the purpose of being in communion with His Father. Then the fact that the resurrection took place early in the morning must have meaning for us also.
Just because a person gets up early it does not mean they will be Godly. However, a person who forsakes sleep in order to spend time with God will become more like Him.
I must affirm what Dr. Leavell said over 20 years ago. I too have never met a godly person who slept late. However, I will add… all the Godly people I’ve known got up early in order to spend time in prayer, reading Scripture, and meditating on the things of God.