WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
Psalm 37:1-40
Proverbs 19:17

“Fret not …”

NOT MIGHT IS RIGHT, BUT RIGHT IS MIGHT

There is a paradox in the affairs of men, and that is that the wicked and lawless seem to prosper, but the good and law-abiding suffer. So, those who are godly, who come under the oppression of the wicked, tend to complain and “fret,” or even become envious of the success of their opponents.

Writing from an old age (Ps 37:25), David discovers time to be the best judge. From the wealth of his experiences through seventy years of life, he has seen how the wicked might spread his power like a green bay tree (Ps 37:35), but when he dies his influence is finished overnight.

The righteous may suffer affliction, the very victims of the wicked. But the Lord turns the tables upon the bullies themselves (Ps 37:15).

In the economic world the wicked practise cheating. They are plotters, schemers, whose aim in life is to enrich themselves at the expense of others. In legal terms they commit criminal breach of trust.

Knowing God to be their Provider, Sustainer and Judge, the righteous live a frugal life. Whatever they have to spare they are willing to share with others, especially the needy, by giving or lending (Ps 37:21, 26). They, who live unto God and with regard to their fellowmen, will receive a good reward, even on earth. While heaven is the ultimate goal of a godly life, there are the blessings of earth that God lavishes on the meek (Matt 5:5).

In order to keep the godly straight in this path of righteousness, David gives them eight precepts. A precept is a command, so it is given in the imperative mood, as in the opening sentence of this Psalm: “Fret not …” “Trust in the LORD …” (Ps 37:3) is the second precept. Can you find the rest of the precepts? Obeying these precepts keeps one not only on a straight path but leads the same to prosperity. Thus it is recorded of David the Psalmist himself that his house “waxed stronger and stronger” (2 Sam 3:1).

THOUGHT: Do I “fret”? Why?
PRAYER: “Thy way, not mine, O Lord.” (Horatius Bonar)