Do not Fret

Psalm 37:1-9

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

Do not fret because of those who are evil, but we do, and it is not because we are envious of those who do wrong.  No, it is often we are sick of seeing the very rich, the Hollywood crowd, and the Congress of the United States not being held to the same requirements as others.  Over many years our school systems have not taught American history and the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States of America.  We have raised up a generation of people who have no understanding of why we are a free people with these rights that give us free speech, the right to travel, to worship and to excel, by the gifts God has given us.  Do not be deceived; many in our Congress would like to take each of those rights from you and are working to do so.

That is why Psalm 37 is so essential for every follower of Christ to ponder on, for we are told fretting only leads to evil.  So what should one do, recall verse two, they will soon fade like the grass.  Verses 3-9, are great counsel; Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice