God's Call of the Righteous (2)
“God’s Call of the Righteous”
(Part 2)
DO NOT FRET
PSALM 37:1, 7-8
Last week we shared beginning with this Psalm 37.
Psalm literally means “plucking the strings of a harp.” They convey in words the inner most feelings of our hearts expression. It is our heart “playing” to the Lord our prayers, our concerns, our faith, and our praise.
Psalm 37 is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. (Aleph, Bet, Gimmel, etc.)
We stated it is: The ABC’s of God’s promise to the righteous.
That there are six elements that are found if followed give peace to the believer regarding God’s promises and they are;
Do not FRET. TRUST in the LORD. DELIGHT yourself in the LORD. COMMIT our WAY to the LORD. REST in the LORD. And WAIT on the LORD.
Today we want to find out what it all entails when the Scriptures say “Do not Fret.”
Psalm 37:1, 7-8 (NKJV)
A Psalm of David.
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm.
The Hebrew word for FRET is “charah” pronounced “Hawrah” it literally means:
to glow or grow warm; to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy :- be angry, burn, be displeased, × earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, × very, be wroth.
Webster defines FRET – a verb
To devour, to eat or gnaw into, to corrode, chafe, rub, to make by wearing away a substance, to cause to suffer emotional strain, to agitate, to become vexed or worried.
Worry – to strangle, to constrict, to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping, to torment, to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort, to afflict with mental distress or agitation, to make anxious, to feel or experience concern or anxiety, to fret.
Synonyms include, annoy, harass, plague, pester.
worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one’s nervous or mental power. plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.
Mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usu. for something impending or anticipated.
1. Fret quite literally means “the more you think about it the madder you get!”
Fretting is like building a fire, the more fuel you add to it the more intense and hotter it becomes.
The Hebrew word “hawrah” has been translated into the English with the words: kindled, burned, anger, hot, as well as fret.
So what God is calling us to be are firefighters. Jesus said,
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
2. When we fret we doubt God is in control.
Examples of those who FRET:
Cain & Abel
Genesis 4:5-7 (NKJV)
but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
What did Cain end up doing? He killed his brother.
3. Fretting will cause you to do things you’ll later regret.
Jonah
Jonah 4:1-4, 9 (NKJV)
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2So he prayed to the Lord, and said, "Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!" 4Then the Lord said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
9Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!"
Fretting deceives someone into believing suicide would be better than life.
Joseph & Potipher
Genesis 39:19-21 (NKJV)
So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. 20Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.
21But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
4. In making decisions fretting will cloud our judgment.
We have so little understanding of how completely God is in control He is working all things for His purpose and plans. Fretting undermines what God is attempting to do.
Examples of those who did not Fret:
David & Abigail
1 Samuel 25:2-39 (NKJV)
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. And he was of the house of Caleb. 4When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, 5David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: 'Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!" 9So when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.
10Then Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?
14Now one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master; and he reviled them. 15But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, nor did we miss anything as long as we accompanied them, when we were in the fields. 16They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep. 17Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him."
18Then Abigail made haste …20So it was, as she rode on the donkey, that she went down under cover of the hill; and there were David and his men, coming down toward her, and she met them. 21Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. 22May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light."
23Now when Abigail saw David, she hastened to dismount from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground. 24So she fell at his feet and said: "On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant. 25Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. 26Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, since the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal.
32Then David said to Abigail: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. 34For indeed, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!" 35So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, "Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person."
36Now Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was, holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; therefore she told him nothing, little or much, until morning light. 37So it was, in the morning, when the wine had gone from Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became like a stone. 38Then it came about, after about ten days, that the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.
39So when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil! For the Lord has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head." And David sent and proposed to Abigail, to take her as his wife.
David knew that God was in control.
The example of Jesus:
His teachings
Matthew 5:38-48 (NKJV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
43"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
His example:
Isaiah 50:4-9 (NKJV)
"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. 5The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. 6I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
7"For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. 8He is near who justifies Me; who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9Surely the Lord God will help Me;
And
Isaiah 53:7-9 (NKJV)
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. 8He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9And they made His grave with the wicked--but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
A living testimony
Matthew 27:11-14, 26 (NKJV)
Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" So Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." 12And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" 14But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
26Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
Paul’s teaching
Romans 12:14-21 (NKJV)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." (Quoting from Proverbs 25:11-22).
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Proverbs 25:21-22 (NKJV)
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Conclusion:
What is the end result of those who do us wrong and do not repent?
Psalm 73:1-28 (NKJV)
A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. 6Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. 7Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. 9They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.
10Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. 11And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.
15If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-- 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
18Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. 22I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 23Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.
Why was the psalmist grieved? Was he grieved because he had not trusted God to do what was right? Or was he grieved because he realized the ultimate and terrible fate that awaited for those who had rebelled against God?
Proverbs 24:19-20 (NKJV)
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; 20For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
5. The end result of evildoers and the wicked is their life and eternity is forever separated from God.
How tragic and how sad.
Jesus said
Matthew 5:48 (NKJV)
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
And in this Psalm it says,
Psalm 37:37
37Mark the blameless (or perfect) man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
6. When we do not Fret we have peace.
“God’s Call of the Righteous”
(Part 2)
DO NOT FRET
PSALM 37:1, 7-8
1. _______________ quite literally ______________ “the
_________________ you _______________ about it the
______________ you ________________!”
2. When we fret we ___________ God is in ____________.
3. Fretting will __________ you to do __________________
you’ll later _______________.
4. In making ________________ fretting will ___________
your _______________.
5. The __________ result of ______________ and the
_________________ is their ______________ and
_________________ is forever __________________
from ___________.
6. When we do not __________ we have _______________.
“God’s Call of the Righteous”
(Part 2)
DO NOT FRET
PSALM 37:1, 7-8
1. Fret quite literally means “the more you think about it the madder you get!”
2. When we fret we doubt God is in control.
3. Fretting will cause you to do things you’ll later regret.
4. In making decisions fretting will cloud your judgment.
5. The end result of evildoers and the wicked is their life and eternity is forever separated from God.
6. When we do not Fret we have peace.