Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.” vss. 7-8
Psalm 37:7-11,39-40
It’s obvious to most of us that there are some pretty rotten people in our world, some of whom the psalmist would have called wicked. They are preoccupied with power and greed and will do anything that brings them gain. Lies masquerading as truth come easily to their lips and none of their words can be trusted. They are despicable people, created in the image of God, yet living as though God does not exist. For the most part people of faith steer clear of such folks and they’re not likely to show up in our circle of friends. But we can’t avoid their presence or influence–reports of their activities are ubiquitous in media of all kinds. They are masters of manipulation and skilled marketers, amassing enormous amounts of money–and it makes us mad! The psalmist offered some sage advice. “Be still before the Lord…and do not fret…it leads only to evil.” Admittedly, that’s hard to do! Fretting has become second nature for many, a daily response to social media or the evening news, but it’s a horrible way to live. We can easily end up being angry all the time. Some recommend meditation, a time every day for being still before the Lord, and it works for them. They find peace for their souls, even when scoundrels prosper.
Thought for the Day: What causes me to fret?
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