Fret Not Over Evil-doers

"Fret not thyself" (Ps. 37:1).

Do not get into a perilous heat about things. If ever heat were justified, it was surely justified in the circumstances outlined in the Psalm. Evil-doers were moving about clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day. "Workers of iniquity" were climbing into the supreme places of power, and were tyrannizing their less fortunate brethren. Sinful men and women were stalking through the land in the pride of life and basking in the light and comfort of great prosperity, and good men were becoming heated and fretful.

"Fret not thyself." Do not get unduly heated! Keep cool! Even in a good cause, fretfulness is not a wise help-meet. Fretting only heats the bearings; it does not generate the steam. It is no help to a train for the axles to get hot; their heat is only a hindrance. When the axles get heated, it is because of unnecessary friction; dry surfaces are grinding together, which ought to be kept in smooth co-operation by a delicate cushion of oil.

And is it not a suggestive fact that this word "fret" is closely akin to the word "friction," and is an indication of absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God?

In fretfulness, a little bit of grit gets into the bearings--some slight disappointment, some ingratitude, some discourtesy--and the smooth working of the life is checked. Friction begets heat; and with the heat, most dangerous conditions are created.

Do not let thy bearings get hot. Let the oil of the Lord keep thee cool, lest by reason of an unholy heat thou be reckoned among the evil-doers.  --The Silver Lining

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It is not your job to be concerned with the plight of the evildoers. God's Word never returns to Him void, it always accomplishes that for which it was sent, and God has promised that the evildoers will be cut down. So, do not give energy to them, focus on your work. Focus on your design and purpose. Know that God has a Word for you as well. He has promised to prosper you and to give you a future and a hope.

Live in that hope, know that God works everything in your life towards your good. There is no need for fretting, God is sovereign and not one happening gets by His knowing. To you, it may seem as if the evildoers are prospering while you are struggling. To you it may seem that the unrighteous amasses the wealth, but scripture reveals that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous.

Allow the wicked to toil in their evil enterprises. Let them flourish momentarily in their grandiose machinations. For at the appointed time, they will fall. It has been declared and the righteous will see it. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace