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Day 291

Psalm 37:8b "Do not fret - it only causes harm"

Day 291 – Psalm 37

“Do not fret – it only causes harm” Psalm 37:8b

IN FULL SYMPATHY

David understood the feelings of those who had to resist evil. There were many moments when the heart becomes fretful. Evil exerts a strong and negative influence!

MORE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Encouragement gives a special lift to the heart. David sought to teach his readers how they must not allow themselves to become fretful.

1. Do not fret

a) This is repeated three times now (Psalm 37:1a, 7b, 8b).
b) The tendency or inclination to fret must be strenuously resisted.
c) It is important to be reminded again and again not to yield to fretfulness.

2. Causes of fretfulness

a) Because of the presence of evildoers (Psalm 37:1a).
b) Because of the prosperity of the evil doers (Psalm 37:7b).
c) Because the wicked seem to be able to get away with their evil schemes (Psalm 37:7c).

3. Yielding to feelings of frustration

a) Anger or wrath is sometimes an expression of sheer frustration.
i) Anger could lead one to do evil.
ii) Anger never serves the cause of God.
b) Fretfulness is another expression of frustration.
i) It could take the form of chronic worrying.
ii) It could take the form of helpless despair.

4. Learning vital spiritual disciplines

A vital spiritual discipline to learn when resisting evil is learning to “rest in the Lord”. It may otherwise be called “waiting on the Lord” (Psalm 37:7a).