Psalm 37:1-8
Do not fret because of evildoers, or be envious of 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; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.
Do not fret because of evildoers, or be envious of 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; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.
It is, alas, too common for believers in their hours of adversity to think themselves harshly dealt with… To fret is to worry, to have the heart burn, to fume, to become vexed. Nature is very apt to kindle a fire of jealousy when it sees law-breakers riding on horses, and obedient subjects walking in the mire. It is a lesson learned only in the school of grace, when one comes to view the most paradoxical providences with the devout complaisance of one who is sure that the Lord is righteous in all His acts. Faith cures fretting. Sight is cross-eyed, and views thing only as they seem, hence, her envy; faith has clearer optics to behold things as they really are, hence her peace. True faith is actively obedient. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. There is a joy in holy activity that drives away the rust of discontent.
He who was first bidden not to fret was next commanded actively to trust, and then is told with holy desire to delight in God. Make Jehovah the joy and rejoicing of your spirit. Bad men delight in carnal objects; do not envy them if they are allowed to take their fill in such vain idols; look to your better delight, and fill yourself to the full with your nobler portion—take care to delight in yours, and so, far from envying, you will pity them. There is no room for fretting if we remember that God is ours, but there is every incentive to sacred enjoyment of the most elevated and ecstatic kind. Every name, attribute, word, or deed of Jehovah should be delightful to us, and in meditating upon it our soul should be as glad as the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for His dainties.
In the matter of personal reputation we may especially be content to be quiet, and leave our vindication with the Judge of all the earth. The more we fret in this case, the worse for us. Our strength is to sit still. The Lord will clear the slandered. If we look to His honor, he will see to ours. To hush the spirit, to be silent before the Lord, to wait with holy patience the time for clearing up the difficulties of providence – this is what every gracious heart should aim at. A silent tongue in many cases not only shows a wise head, but a holy heart. Time is nothing to Him; let it be nothing to you. God is worth waiting for.
-CHS
He who was first bidden not to fret was next commanded actively to trust, and then is told with holy desire to delight in God. Make Jehovah the joy and rejoicing of your spirit. Bad men delight in carnal objects; do not envy them if they are allowed to take their fill in such vain idols; look to your better delight, and fill yourself to the full with your nobler portion—take care to delight in yours, and so, far from envying, you will pity them. There is no room for fretting if we remember that God is ours, but there is every incentive to sacred enjoyment of the most elevated and ecstatic kind. Every name, attribute, word, or deed of Jehovah should be delightful to us, and in meditating upon it our soul should be as glad as the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for His dainties.
In the matter of personal reputation we may especially be content to be quiet, and leave our vindication with the Judge of all the earth. The more we fret in this case, the worse for us. Our strength is to sit still. The Lord will clear the slandered. If we look to His honor, he will see to ours. To hush the spirit, to be silent before the Lord, to wait with holy patience the time for clearing up the difficulties of providence – this is what every gracious heart should aim at. A silent tongue in many cases not only shows a wise head, but a holy heart. Time is nothing to Him; let it be nothing to you. God is worth waiting for.
-CHS
