Do Not Fret

Write From My Heart / January 6, 2021 / Do Not Fret

Psalm 37:1-11 (NIV) Do not fret because of evil men 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. Delight yourself 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 righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men 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 evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

            As I was reading this passage this morning, several thoughts came to mind. I’m not sure if I can tie them all together neatly in a devotion, but perhaps it would be interesting just to list some of my thoughts and let you, the reader, take it wherever you heart needs to go.

1.   Do not fret. Fretting leads to worry and worry leads to despair. If I truly believe God is in control and has a plan for Christ to return, then I must acknowledge that things will indeed grow much worse before they get better on the Day of the LORD. Do not fret. Do not worry. God is in control.

2.  Evil men, those who do wrong…like green plants they will soon die away. Each year during Christmas we receive one or more poinsettia plants as gifts from business, offices, associates. My husband once suggested to the delivery clerk that it might be better to carry the plant directly to the alley or to the neighbors as it would have a much higher chance of survival than it would in our house. Hahaha, very funny! Unfortunately, tragically true—I have NO green thumb of any kind even though I love plants. I currently have a poinsettia with a handful of leaves I am nursing at this very time. This example helps me understand this passage well. Christ is coming soon—soon as in HIS timing, not mine—nevertheless, soon. Those who continue to focus on self instead of focusing on Christ will not enter God’s Kingdom. They will die away.

3.  TRUST… DELIGHT… COMMIT… BE STILL… HOPE… in the LORD. This is the daily pathway I need to follow. These are the choices I need to make. There is no other way.

4.  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn. You should have seen the beautiful NM sunrise I saw this morning. I wish I could share it with you! No matter what troubles or stresses are present in these days, the beauty of God’s creation still shines. Righteousness is the state of being in right-standing with God, and if I am in right-standing with God, then my life should shine to others just as beautifully as God’s sunrises shine for me (for all of us).

5.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil. What bothers me in my heart needs to be yielded to my Heavenly Father in prayer. Keeping anger inside doesn’t work. It just festers and grows until it is no longer manageable. At the risk of sounding cliché I need to remind myself; “Let go and let God” handle it.

6.  But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. Being a meek person means enduring insult or injury with patience and without resentment. Although there is also a submissive element to being meek, it is NOT the same as being cowardly! I am not called as a Christian to shrink back in fear. I am called to be peaceful. There is a difference!

            Dear friends, this devotion is a bit different in style from the others. It is just me simply sharing my thoughts with you. Perhaps you have similar thoughts this morning, and perhaps in some small way this has brought you encouragement. Have a blessed day, my friends!

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive our failings and shortcomings. We trust in your for you are our source of strength, comfort, and hope for the future. May we be found in right-standing with you.

            In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.