Psalm37 - Don't Sweat It.

Psalm 37 - What it means to me.

"Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away."  Verses 1,2

We see evil rulers all over our world who do evil deeds continually. They usually have billions of dollars while their people are in deep poverty. God tells us not to fret because of these people. Their life is like a house plant in my home - it soon withers away! This life is all they have and also they will be punished for the harm they caused others. They will not burn in hell forever and ever, as some people say. But they will receive the same punishment that they gave to others.

"The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." Obadiah 1:15

After fretting, God tells us not to envy those who do wrong. Why would we do this? I think we would envy the money, power and freedom these people seem to have. We look at a billionaire and think, "Oh, how I wish I could have a mansion and a yacht. It would be wonderful to never worry about money again." I don't think we know how fortunate we are not to be rich. For Jesus said, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Luke 18:24

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  Hebrews s13:5

The Secret of Contentment.

Paul wrote:

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippeans 4:11-13

I used to think it would be easy to be content when you are not in need and living in plenty, but I was wrong. No matter how much people have they can still want more. They can be discontented. Even Lucifer became discontented in heaven itself! But Paul had found the secret of being content in any situation.

I'm sure Paul wasn't born with this capacity. He must have learned this through experience as we all have to. For myself, I find I can be content for a few days and then discontented thoughts come in to tempt me again. I think, "I wish I could do this," or "I wish I had that," or, "I'm bored with my life." In fact, I have even thought, "I hate my life." 

So, contentment is a struggle for me. Other people have other temptations but that one nags at me. When it does, I pray, "God, make me content with my life." And he does, until the thoughts come again and I pray again. For I have found it to be true what Paul said in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." 

When I read these verses this morning, I had been feeling bored and at sea. I then remembered how Paul had been beaten, stoned, and imprisoned. He must have been bored in prison, perhaps cold and hungry. He wrote letters, and he was allowed visitors, but surely time must have dragged. Yet, he found the secret of contentment - through Jesus.

Contentment.

"Godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Contentment.

Am I content with what I have? Am I content to have food and clothing and that's it.

I admit I get restless. I want to go on a vacation. I want to go to the casino and waste money for entertainment. I want enough money, not just to exist, but to have fun. Am I content when I don't have enough money? Not always.

"Make sure your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For He Himself has said; "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Sometimes I am content. Those are the times I think of all God's blessings in my life. When I keep my eyes on Jesus and what he has done for all of us. When I think of Jesus' character. Those are the times I feel content and the contentment lasts for a long time.

But sometimes I become discontented. When I look at myself, my life and my surroundings I am discontented. When I look at the negatives instead of the positives I am discontented. When I regret the past or worry about the future I am discontented.

I want to be content with the life God has given me. I pray for contentment and peace. Even if food and clothing were taken away from me, I want to be content just in knowing God. In the concentration camps of WW11 everything was taken away from people and then they took away their lives. I want to be content in God even if that happened to me.