Read: Psalm 37

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 we not fret? What does that look like?

“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)

These two verses give us just what we need to not fret about the wicked. First, we are to trust God and do good; second, live in the land and farm faithfulness; and third, enjoy the Lord. Let’s take a deeper look at each of those steps.

Don’t Worry, Instead Trust God and Do Good.

To trust God means to leave your worries, cares, and concerns at His feet. To talk and pray 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 His care for the future. What situations can you place and leave in God’s care?

Do good to those around you whether they are friends, neighbors, church family, etc. You can do good anywhere and everywhere with the people around you.

Just as Jesus did good where he was called. While Jesus healed the sick, you can bring a meal to someone who’s ill. Jesus fed 5,000 and 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. Doing good takes many forms and you can do good right where you are. What good deed will you do today?

Live in the Land and Farm Faithfulness.

Live in the land and farm faithfulness means to live where God calls you. If he calls you to live in the United States, then do that. If he calls you to live as a missionary in a foreign country, then do that. We farm faithfulness when we follow God’s calling for us. We plant seeds of hope, peace, and joy in the soil of the people around us then let God use his sunlight and water to grow the seeds we plant. And when the time is right, if it’s our job, we will reap a harvest.

Enjoy the Lord.

To enjoy the Lord means to find joy in a relationship with Him. Find joy in reading scripture, spending time with friends, and doing good, for a start.

God is not a taskmaster. He wants you to delight in Him and be in a relationship with Him. There is abundant delight and joy in Him just as there are an abundance of ways to connect with Him. You can connect with Him through nature, His Word, through science, sharing, sacrificial living, watching his power, appreciating traditions and the indwelling of His Spirit.

What feeds your soul? Where do you delight in God?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

We want to not worry about the wickedness we see all around us. Wars, dictators, politicians all conspire to steal our joy. You tell us to not worry about these things and to focus instead on finding joy in our relationship with You. Remind us to keep our focus on You, instead of the turmoil around us.

Give us peace when we return our focus to You and give us opportunities to do good to those around us.

Amen.