Day 1 - Do Not Fret - Learning to Trust God More | 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional - February 4
Greetings! Today we begin our 21-day journey through Psalm 37!
Lessons will be posted by 5:30AM each day. I encourage you to incorporate these brief lessons into your regular devotional rhythm.
If you'd like to do your own study in the book of Psalms 37, here are some resources:
StudyLight
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html#google_vignette
Scripture: Psalm 37:1, Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Key Thought: Anxiety over evil drains the soul more than evil itself.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are witnessing, in real time in our nation, workers of iniquity. This is not something new, but rarely has it been on full display at a national level among national political leaders. We are seeing despotism and dictatorial tactics in a nation where the Constitution says that “We The People” are the basis of our form of government—what Abraham Lincoln described as government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
I share this because we have to be very mindful of not allowing ourselves to fret when we consider what is going on. Here in our state of Indiana, we are seeing situations that are harmful to people, especially the most vulnerable among us.
As we are dealing with many grievous situations in our world, those of us who will not be silent must maintain balance. We must remain vigilant and active. At the same time, we must avoid strife or becoming obsessed with the deeds of evildoers.
The Scripture plainly says, “do not fret.” As a matter of fact, in Psalm 37 the words “do not fret” appear three times. The third mention, in verse 8, states: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
So while we who will not be silent, as many others are, must stay engaged. We also have to draw closer to God and keep our hearts clear of wrath, strife, and fretfulness.
One way to do that is what we are doing right now—spending time in the Word, in prayer, and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister peace to our hearts.
Jesus said in John 14:26–27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Through this peace, we can steady our troubled hearts, and we will not fear the actions of ungodly people.
Our theme is “Learning to Love God More.” We will go verse by verse and allow the Lord to speak to our hearts and minds. In addition to myself, other contributors include Patricia Hudson, Stacy Williams, Min. Bertha Fields, and Pastor Lee Rob. I will be writing the majority of the lessons, and I deeply appreciate the contributions of these fellow servants of God.
Lessons will be posted by 5:30AM each day. I encourage you to incorporate these brief lessons into your regular devotional rhythm.
Would also like to invite you to join New Covenant Church for Corporate Prayer on Zoom Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM (EST).
Zoom meeting info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89794097465
Meeting ID: 897 9409 7465
Meeting ID: 897 9409 7465
If you'd like to do your own study in the book of Psalms 37, here are some resources:
Enduring Word
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-37/
Bible Gateway; (The paid version has many more resources)
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-37/
Bible Gateway; (The paid version has many more resources)
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/
StudyLight
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html#google_vignette
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Day 1 — Do Not Fret
Scripture: Psalm 37:1, Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Key Thought: Anxiety over evil drains the soul more than evil itself.
Prayer: “Lord, quiet my spirit and anchor my trust in You.”
It is no exaggeration to say that we are witnessing, in real time in our nation, workers of iniquity. This is not something new, but rarely has it been on full display at a national level among national political leaders. We are seeing despotism and dictatorial tactics in a nation where the Constitution says that “We The People” are the basis of our form of government—what Abraham Lincoln described as government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
I share this because we have to be very mindful of not allowing ourselves to fret when we consider what is going on. Here in our state of Indiana, we are seeing situations that are harmful to people, especially the most vulnerable among us.
As we are dealing with many grievous situations in our world, those of us who will not be silent must maintain balance. We must remain vigilant and active. At the same time, we must avoid strife or becoming obsessed with the deeds of evildoers.
The Scripture plainly says, “do not fret.” As a matter of fact, in Psalm 37 the words “do not fret” appear three times. The third mention, in verse 8, states: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
So while we who will not be silent, as many others are, must stay engaged. We also have to draw closer to God and keep our hearts clear of wrath, strife, and fretfulness.
One way to do that is what we are doing right now—spending time in the Word, in prayer, and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister peace to our hearts.
Jesus said in John 14:26–27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Through this peace, we can steady our troubled hearts, and we will not fear the actions of ungodly people.
REFLECTION QUESTION: "In what ways, specifically, do I need to stop fretting?"
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
Donate to New Covenant Church: https://cash.app/$newcovenantindy
Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
