Fret Not Thyself 3

John Houtkamp, my star deacon during the 1930*s, used to point to Psalm 37:1, look seriously at me and say, *Remember, Preacher, it says, *Fret not thyself.* When you fret about something, who gets fretted? You do!*

Whenever God gives you a command, He makes it possible for you to understand enough to obey it. This passage is a case in point. *Don*t worry!* is the command. Why not? Troubles and troublemakers don*t last. This too shall pass (v. 2). Simple trust in God, plus obedience, opens the door to His miraculous provisions for you (v. 3). When you bring your desires and delights in line with God*s will, you can have whatever you want! (v. 4). Commitment—the willingness to leave the situation to God allows Him to bring your dreams to reality (v. 5). Resting in the Lord means relaxing because He is in control (v. 7). When He is piloting life*s frail craft, you can wait patiently for the outcome of His plans, because He never fails! God actually controls your steps! (v. 23) Someone pointed out to me that steps must of necessity mean stops. Besides, *Though [you] fall, [you] shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth [you] with his hand* (v. 24). God is greater than any trouble you may face. He will still be there when the tempest is past . . . and so will you! He delights to give you what you want, if you will begin specializing in His will. He promises to hold on to you even when you falter and stumble along the road of life. So why worry?

Small thought here. The process of being freed from worry begins with trust and culminates with rest. Trust says, *I am going to leave this situation to God.* Rest says, *I*m so glad I did!* This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission. I need this message as much as anyone.

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