Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Psalm 37:1-8 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of 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; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 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. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret -- it only causes harm.
YOUR WORRY IS DOWN!
What decade was the expression "I'm down with that" used? The 80s, 90s, or even still today? If you were interested in an invite, event, or project, "I'm down with that" meant you were hip or cool with having your name down on doing whatever it was. When I hear people talking about their personal worry, anxiety, and nervousness I still today say in my mind, "I'm down with that." Not because I want these things, but because I can relate to these troublesome emotions and even psychological conditions we have in our brains, and souls.
When it came to worry, David was "down with that" too. The Psalm read a moment ago is all about being worried, anxious, and even afraid. Look how . . .
Verse one says, Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious (of them).
Verse seven says, Do not fret of him who prospers . . . from his schemes.
Verse eight says, Do not fret -- it only causes harm.
I know that being a "worry wart" is totally unproductive. Worrying is really the opposite of trusting that the LORD will be with me and bless me. And so the LORD was reminding David, and us, through this Psalm-hymn just as . . .
Verse three says, Trust in the LORD . . . feed on His faithfulness!
Verse four says, Delight yourself in the LORD . . . He will provide!
Verse five says, Commit your way to the LORD, trust in Him!
Verse seven says, Rest is the LORD . . . wait patiently for Him!
If worry was a stock, the world's investment in it would be out of this world. But no one wants that stock. No one benefits from worrying. Because, as David sang about, trusting in the LORD is what puts worry down. Jesus our Savior said multiple times in Matthew six "Do not worry" (do not fret)! Why? Jesus says in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Lord Jesus, keep our trust in You up, and worry down!
