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No.2.
Quietness.
pp. 149 - 151
"Rest in the Lord and wait . . . . ." (Psa. 37: 7).
Our peace of mind may be disturbed as we hear of continual violence in so many parts
of the world; even in Northern Ireland and in this country we see lawlessness and the
loss of innocent lives. In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul warned him that perilous
times would come and the long list given in chapter 3: includes trucebreakers, false
accusers, fierce, traitors, etc.
The Companion Bible indicates an outline of Psa. 37: as follows:
A1 |
1-11. Admonitions and reasons
B1
| 12-26. Contrasts. Lawless and righteous
A2 |
27-29. Admonition and reason
B2
| 30-33. Contrasts. Righteous and lawless
A3 |
34. Admonition and reason
B3
| 35-40. Contrasts. Lawless and righteous.
The text that we wish to consider comes in the first section A1 and so we give the
outline of that section:--
A |
1. Trust. Fret not
B
| 2. Reason. "For"
A |
3-8. Trust. Delight. Commit
B
| 9-11. Reason. "For"
Apart from the work of those who are violent, we may be vexed by the work of
evildoers, who seem to prosper while those who try to live honestly suffer. Indeed, there
is a real danger that a Christian may become jealous of the prosperity of those who are
caught up with solely material ambitions. If this material attitude is allowed to develop,
may there not be the possibility that a Christian may be tempted to lower his standards
and achieve a higher "standard of living"? The Psalmist warns us of this.
Verse 1, ". . . . . neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity."
Verse 7, "fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man
who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
Verse 8, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."
"Fret not" means "heat not thyself with vexation". Do not allow yourself to be
emotionally upset when you see the activities of the evildoer. But how can this mental
attitude be avoided? Let us look at the Psalm again.
Verse 3,
"Trust in the Lord and do good"
Verse 4,
"Delight thyself also in the Lord"
Verse 5,
"Commit thy way unto the Lord"
Verse 7,
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."