Don't fret

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Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Psalm 37:8

I read this verse in my daily devotional this week and it really made me think.  How much time do we spend fretting about things that we shouldn’t, fretting about the state of the world or about our finances, or our children . . . instead we need to "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him" (v. 7).  This made me wonder about Christians who involve themselves in protests or politics, as we have recently seen at Gay Marriage rallies — should Christians protest and be seen protesting?  Protesting means that you have taken into your own hands to do something rather than: Trust in the LORD (v. 3).
Here is a small extract from the devotional:

“It would be easy to fret about this and wring our hands in despair, but Psalm 37 suggests a better way. Listen to David’s wise advice: “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity” (v.1).  We may not like what we see and hear from some aspects of society, but remember this: God is in control. Trust Him to do what is right. And don’t fret.”

When tragedy, heartache, and sorrow abound,
When evil appears to have conquered the right,
We center our heart on our Father’s great love,
For He will bring hope in the darkest of night.
—D. De Haan

Don’t despair because of evil;
God will have the last word.
~oOo~

Comments

  1. I forget the exact quote but it goes something like this: evil abounds because good men do nothing.

    I think there is a time & a place to speak up & to act. As with everything one needs to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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  2. I am always in a twist about this as I was brought up remain separate to the world and its issues, as much as anyone can. My mum would say no to becoming involved, but if "good men" do nothing (as in your quote), then what happens, bad things continue. Christians have made a differences in many things which perhaps otherwise wouldn't have changed if they sat back quietly.

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  3. Jo: I do understand this one though it is not the way I was raised. However while we are not to be caught up in worldy trivia we are, I believe, called to be Christ in the world: His hands, His feet, His love. Does this make sense?

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  4. Yes it does and it is something I am still examining in myself and read up on.

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  5. I think the Scriptures make this subject quite clear... Sometimes it seems hard to understand why things occur as they do in politics, but Romans clearly says: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation".
    (Rom 13:1-2)
    Being "subject" to higher powers doesn't seem to give room for protests or lobbying... The second verse there is very serious - God does NOT want us resisting the power of those in authority, although of course as we know from other Bible references, when it comes to issues that go against the Bible, we are to obey God rather than man. But that doesn't give us any excuse to protest or lobby - we are to obey humbly like the Lord Himself did in the court before He was crucified.
    Another example we have in the Bible is that of Paul. He was obviously brought up being very aware of politics and government because of his social position - he could easily have taken up a righteous position in the government affairs, standing for Christians and their 'rights', but he didn't. God clearly asks us to reach the world person by person! We are to preach and touch lives on an individual level and THAT is how we change lives and laws.
    And of course, we are to pray for the powers that be. Even without our protests or lobbying, the government will clearly do only what God allows them to. Saying that we as Christians have to go up there and make our voice heard or else things will go down the drain is to severely limit God's power and ability to put into effect whatsoever HE will! He really DOESN'T need our protests!! He is GOD!! :)

    And now I will step off my soapbox! ;)

    I agree, fretting and worrying about these things is useless. King David certainly had all the circumstances that would lend themselves to worry, but it was he who wrote that we should rest and trust in the Lord! :) Certainly a piece of advice we could all do with hearing regularly - humans have a propensity to worry without even realising it!

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