Fret Not Thyself!

Psalm 37:1
1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

I think I would qualify to be a professional when it comes to fretting! This verse runs between two extremes. I am not to worry about evildoers, and to envy workers of sin! I am amazed what our brains will do to us! We struggle to do what is right and then think about the perceived benefits of those who do not know the Lord! The Psalmist was dealing with such a conundrum.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers,

The Psalmist tells us not to feel or express worry, or annoyance when we encounter evildoers. We should not allow ourselves to become discontented with the state we are in because something evil has come into our path. Fretting will cause corrosion to eat away at our faith. Fretting will cause us to become agitated, and will bring commotion to sweep away the peace of the Lord. Fretting is a sin to be avoided.

Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Why does it seem like people who are openly sinful get away with their misdeeds! it amazes me to watch as sinful people prosper while living in open sin. They never consider the Lord in any aspect of their life, yet they have it all! It looks like they are rewarded for the bad they do!

I do not want to be jealous or covet this kind of behavior! I know that their end will lead to life long ruin and eventually eternal punishment in hell, separated from the love and presence of God, but I find that I occasionally become envious of them.

This too is sin and I need to refocus on the Lord Jesus Christ!