Psalm 37:1-5
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; Trust also in him; And he shall bring it to pass.
Empowerment Keys:
- Stop giving attention to people who’s fate has already been decided
Notice that the verb fret derives from an Old English word (fretan) meaning to devour, which gives us a vivid picture of fretting, which is a picture most of us are all too familiar with, the picture of allowing something to “eat away” or “gnaw away” at our minds, resulting in an envious, agitated, vexed or worried mind.
- When you fret about people, you allow people to live rent free in your mind
- Trust and doubt can’t reside together
“Faith cures fretting. Sight is cross-eyed, and views things only as they seem, hence her envy; faith has clearer optics to behold things as they really are, hence her peace.” (Spurgeon)
- Doing Good is about you, not the other party
’ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ‘
Matthew 5:43-44
- If God has our heart, He can trust us with His blessings.
- Obedience requires sacrifice and yields access to God’s hands