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| Photo courtesy of Eileen DeCamp |
So begins David’s 37th Psalm, one of my favorites for encouragement. David forbids the believer to fret over evil-doers and their prosperity. The state of the godly person (who we hope to be ourselves) is juxtaposed with the short-lived prosperity of the wicked. As we often see, folks who care not a twit for God’s laws flourish and prosper by worldly standards. Rather than be perplexed, don’t fret.
Emotional turmoil is suggested by the word fret, one of its meanings being to gnaw away at or devour. Fretting over little matters or significant ones, personal disappointments or wrong-doing in general, wears away at contentment and peace of mind. Even for legitimate cause, fretfulness is not a wise state of mind. David extols us three times not to fret.
Instead,
Trust in the Lord,
delight in Him and his ways,
commit your way to Him,
rest in Him,
wait patiently for Him, and
cease from anger and wrath.
God is aware of the state of the world and everyone in it. He knows our days (v.18). I’d rather commit my way to Him, take my worries and concerns to Him, do the duty which lies nearest, and trust Him. That’s not always easy. Even devoted Christians fight spiritual battles with self and the world daily. But no day goes by that God doesn’t take account of our petitions and our actions.
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints. Psalm 37:28.
Allow the wise counsel of the psalmist to inform your days and give you peace and courage. There’s no need to fret, child of God. You are not forsaken.
Some of my family at Plymouth Rock. November 2020
Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God today. I've resolved in the new year to post more regularly. We could all use some good cheer and inspiration.
