Relevant Advice

How many times do you have to hear the same advice before you take it seriously? One of my favorite Psalms is number thirty-seven. I have read it many times, in different translations.

It’s not a long Psalm, only forty verses, but the word “fret” catches my immediate attention. It occurs as part of a three-word phrase three times in the first eight verses.

When you fret, you allow yourself to worry or become upset over something. Anxious thoughts fill your mind, gnawing away, causing you to be disturbed or even angry.

If anyone had a reason to fret, I’d say it was David. He started out as a shepherd boy, was anointed to be king, but then had to wait for God’s timing. While waiting, the king in power made his life miserable. David and his supporting army were constantly fleeing for their lives, yet his faith in God shines clearly in the advice of this Psalm.

Read for yourself David’s words about fretting:

PSALM 37 (NKJV)

VERSE 1

Do not fret because of evildoers,

nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

VERSE 7

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

VERSE 8

Do not fret - - - it only causes harm.

Read the full chapter and you’ll see that David was convinced that trusting the Lord brings rewards now and for eternity. He also believed though the wicked presently flourish, they’ll find eternity to be just the opposite.

Do not fret is relevant advice. It’s easy in our day to stay disturbed over the economy . . . higher prices on food and gas, rents out of reach, and a medical system on overload. Yet David encourages us to choose our thoughts wisely, giving God a premium spot.

In place of “do not,” David advises “do this:” Trust in the Lord, do good, feed on His faithfulness, commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, rest in Him, wait patiently for Him, depart from evil, do good, and keep His way.  

Do not fret, but do live freely. You can read Psalm 37 and start following God’s Word today. If you don’t have a Bible, your cell phone can be a good source. My favorite app happens to be the YouVersion.