MY FAVORITE REMINDER!

 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

 

MY FAVORITE REMINDER!

 

Ps 37:7-9

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

KJV

 

           Whenever someone seems befuddled or enraged, I am reminded of the psalmist’s admonition in Psalm 37. It is good advice and encouraging strategy. And, if the language of antiquity troubles you, a more modern version says, “fret not yourself — it tends only to evildoing.”

 

           The word “to fret” is translated from the Hebrew word charah and means “to glow or to grow warm; to blaze up.” We might say “chill.” We even know the benefits of chilling out. Hasty decisions and actions often result in regret and irreversible consequences. I think of it as The Incredible Hulk syndrome. It may be dramatic to turn green and rip off your shirt, but it is not very productive without calm control.

 

           Fretting is caused by a wounded sense of justice. Someone needs to be taught a good and painful lesson and we “blaze up” to do just that! Verses 10 and 11 of Psalm 37 explain that justice will ultimately triumph. In God’s timing the wicked will not be. You may search for him carefully, but he won’t be found. If you wait awhile, peace will be the result.

 

           How do I know so much about fretting? It’s because I am so often guilty of it. I’ve endured the costly consequences of it, and I have even succeeded in finding peace through patience, though not so often.

Dear Lord, there is much injustice and even transparent stupidity in this world today. It provokes us to wrath and irrational action. It results in damage. Help us today to trade fretting for faith. AMEN