In verse 5 we read, “Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. Amplified.” James 1: 19 – 20 says, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
It seems that the Word of God is constantly calling us to take a position which is in direct contrast to most of what one would do in the natural. If an injustice is committed against me, I am evidently affected in some way or another. My personal instincts immediately lead me to react, while the Holy Spirit, Who is trying to apply within me the exercises of His fruit, draws me to see what the Lord and His Word within me would do in this, or that particular situation. In today’s Scripture, we hear that fretting, or fear of any kind, will eventually lead to evil. Faith being the measure of grace from God, which enables us to trust in Him, urges us on to take a quiet place in Him.
Verse 7 of today’s reading, says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Fear, on the other hand, conjures against our thoughts and imaginations to destroy the very peace, and dependency we have in God. As we submit to it, it leads us to the exact opposite side of where the Lord intended for us to be. For if we allow fretting to lead us to evil doing, without turning away from its grip, we eventually become agents of its demise. Verse 9 says, “For evildoers will be cut off, but those who trust in the Lord, they will inherit the land.”
In Zephaniah 3: 16, we read, “In that day it will be said to Jerusalem : Do not be afraid, 0 Zion ; Do not let your hands fall limp.” It seems to show us a direct link between fear, and one whose hands are limp and has given up hope. All the more, we need to identify the slightest seed of worry or doubt that would come against us in any form, before it turns in to fretting, and full-fledged fear.
2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations, and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of (Jesus) Christ.” Philippians 4: 6 – 7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension (understanding), shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: What a wonderful and wise Savior You truly are, that in giving us a free will, we are able to continually side with Your Holy Word, which assures us constant peace and victory in You. May Your Holy Spirit bring much needed peace and joy in the hearts of any of God’s children who have been deceived into being anxious and fretting. Thank You for the awesome hope and sense of well-being we have in knowing that we have an everlasting place of complete rest and safety in You. Glory to You alone!
