Watching the nightly news is depressing with stories of gun violence, political bickering, sex abuse scandals, etc.

Yet scripture says “Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers. For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb,” (Psalm 37:1-2).

There’s so much turmoil in this world! How can you not fret? What does that look like? The next two verses answer that question.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness. Enjoy the Lord and he will give what your heart asks.” (Psalm 37:3-4)

Trust God. Do good. Live in the land. Farm faithfulness. Delight in the Lord. If you do these things, your heart and God’s heart will be as one and He will give you what your heart desires.

To not fret, God wants you to do three things: Trust him, do good and enjoy Him.

To trust God means to leave your worries, cares, and concerns at His feet.  To talk to Him about all your concerns and give your worries to Him. He cares and will take care of you. Remember God’s past faithfulness in your life and trust God’s care for the future. What situation can you place in God’s care?

To do good, live in the land and farm faithfulness means to do good to those around your hometown. You can do good in your hometown, with the people around you. If God called you, you could do good on the other side of the planet, but these verses don’t say that. Instead, do good where God called and planted you. Just as Jesus did good where he was called and planted. He healed the sick, you can bring a meal to someone who’s ill. He fed 5,000, you can invite the neighbors over for dinner. You can wave and smile to those around you. You can pick up litter to keep your hometown clean. You can pay for someone else’s coffee at the local coffee shop. Doing good takes many forms and you can do good right where you are. What good deed will you do today?

To enjoy the Lord means to find joy in a relationship with Him. Find joy in reading scripture. Find joy in spending time with others. Find joy in doing good. Find joy in going to church. God is not a taskmaster. He wants you to delight in Him and be in relationship with Him. There is abundant delight and joy in Him just as there are an abundance of ways to connect with Him: through nature, His Word, through science, sharing, sacrificial living, seeing his power, appreciating traditions and the indwelling of His Spirit. What feeds your soul?

Where do you delight in God?