-June 3, 2022-
Good morning, happy Friday,
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret —it only causes harm.”
(Psalm 37:8).
David wrote this beautiful 37th Psalm, and three times he uses the expression, “Do not fret.” The word fret is defined as, “a state of anxiety or worry; be constantly or visibly worried or anxious.” We face unprecedented crime, violence, lawlessness, unrest, and divisions. For us it is easy to fret and to have frustration, fear, and sadness. David saw many of the same issues in his day: the wicked prospering, the righteous being put down, and the foundations being destroyed. Verse 1 says,”Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.” Verse 7 tells us, “…do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who beings wicked schemes to pass.”
David’s answer for us is not to fret but trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness, commit your way to the Lord, to rest in the Lord and wait patiently on the Lord. It is the best alternative to getting agitated, troubled, or stressed out at what is happening in the world or especially in our country. There are so many mass shootings and so many innocent people have been killed. This world is not our home. In these last days, we must expect things to get worse. We must cling to the Lord and keep praying. He will see us through and protect us. Instead of harming ourselves by fretting, let us share the good news of Jesus and His love with those who are unsaved.
The things that are happening are signs of what will take place in the end times. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” There is so much lawlessness, wickedness, and evil all around us. We must be strong and look to the Lord in these times. Let us look up, for our redemption draws near. Our Savior is coming soon. We feel like Lot living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Peter wrote of him, “and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:7-9). Do not fret dear ones, the Lord is with us to the end.
Have a blessed day living for Christ in this sinful world and pointing people to Jesus who our only hope. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 