(11-4-2021)Don’t Fret

Psalm 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

 

Fretting, today we use it as if it means to worry, but the Hebrew word leans more toward the idea of kindling a fire.  Don’t allow the kindling of the worlds thoughts and ideas burn in your heart and mind disturbing your focus on God and the work that He wants you to do here and now.

When a fire starts it usually generates smoke.  Smoke obscures your vision and keeps you from seeing clearly.  In Psalm 37 God reminds us to not let evildoers obscure our focus on Him.  It is easy to get focused on their ways and what they are trying to achieve.  We can get distracted trying to work on contradicting or thwarting their plans rather than promoting Gods ways, works and plans.

The evildoers come and go.  The history of the world is littered with many a despot that wreaked havoc and thwarted the freedom of individuals, but they have all passed and mankind presses on.  Remember that God is in control.  It is not about what we perceive as their victories but it is about patiently waiting and watching for God to direct the next step.

Are we delighting ourselves in the Lord, basking in his presence or are our thoughts and energies consumed by the shadows of the evildoers around us.