Today is the first of many things for me. My first Ultimate Blog Challenge (I’m challenging myself to blog everyday and in the case of Saturday-every night for the next 31 days). My first Shred 10 (I’m eliminating gluten from my diet for 10 days as well as other healthy lifestyle changes). My first day of 40 Days in Psalms walking through Psalms 37 meditating on one verse at a time.
Truly today is a day of firsts. Thank you for joining me in this journey!
As we begin our study on Psalms 37, here is some background information. According to a most trusted source (okay it’s Wikipedia but it is well known) Psalms 37 “has the form of an acrostic Hebrew poem, and is thought to have been written by David in his old age”.
My Bible calls it the “Blessings to the Righteous”
Psalms 37:1 says:
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity” KJV.
In other words as the New International Version says:
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;” NIV.
To fret means to “be constantly or visibly worried or anxious”.
To be envious means “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage”.
God is saying Do not be constantly worried or anxious because of those who are evil or be painful or resentful of the advantages they enjoy and desire to possess it.
I know, it’s hard not to look at others who have no profession of faith, who are actively working against it, but it seems that they are the ones prospering. God is telling us here that we need to let that go! It is not His spirit.
This scripture reminds me of I John 2:15-17
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” KJV
as well as Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” NIV
Today, as we write Psalms 37:1 scripture on our hearts, let us ask God to help us put away all fretfulness and enviousness in our heart.
Click here to get a copy of the free bookmark straight to your inbox to help you keep track of the Bible verses during these 40 Days in Psalms. Then each day, write the Bible verse in your journal, planner, index card, etc.. Say the verse aloud, meditate on it. Memorize it. Please also feel free to share your Bible verse pictures at andrea@nomommyleftbehind.com so we can share it with others.
Thank you for posting the definition of Fret and envious… my eyes were open to what I was doing and what God says not to do.
Praise God Veronica! I think we all need this reminder. I’m excited about all the other gems in Psalms 37. I hope to see more comments from you 🙂