March 28, 2011 Devotional

FRET NOT

 One of my favorite sermons that I heard when I attended college was based on Psalm 37.  I have pondered on it many times since then... and have lovingly labeled it the "fret not" sermon. "   
 
             "Trust in the Lord, and do good;
          Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
          Delight yourself also in the Lord.
          And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
          Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him.
          And He shall bring it to pass.
          He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light.
          And your justice as the noonday.
          Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." ( Psalm 37:1-7)
 
          I have to admit that I am not always good at this "fret not" thing that is asked of me.  There are so many areas in my life that seem to have the need to be "fretted over."  As women our hearts love to tuck in all the places and people that we are attached to.  Life draws down from us as mothers, wives, and most certainly as pastor's wives.  We watch the demands on our husbands and often take on their load without even realizing it.  God catches me often on this... reminding me that "His load is easy and His burden is light."
          It is in these times of gentle reminder that He quietly sets me in His waiting room...puffs all the pillows on my couch... and whispers to me... "Just sit still, hush yourself... and listen to me. "  I have not always liked it when I sit there.  I know that I wiggle... even mutter under my breath at times.  Yet slowly, over the years, I have learned that He puts me there because He loves me so much.  It is on heaven's waiting room couch where I am shaped and grown.  I have found that in this quiet place I have learned to exchange my fear for contentment, frustration for peace, anxiety for patience and weakness for His strength. Perseverance is gained and faith muscles are strengthened and renewed in this place.  Most certainly my trust in Him and His ways is built and restored.
          Hebrews chapter 10:36 speaks of our need for endurance so that after we have done the will of God we may receive the promise. For me personally, I find that the waiting room is where the Father prepares my character and builds my endurance so that I will be ready to receive all of those promises.  It is here that I have truly understood that the Lord is faithful and that my hope is in Him and Him alone.  In the quietness I have learned to wait with an expectant heart.   I have never been disappointed in His faithfulness.  To be honest.... I am usually amazed at how He works "all things out for the good of those that He loves."
Do you find yourself consumed at times with anxiety, wound up with worry about situations that are really beyond your control?  Fret not!  Curl up on the couch in God's waiting room... try not to wiggle too much... and just listen.  You are His chosen daughter.... a child of the King of the Most High!  He knows all of the desires of your heart.  Trust...Commit...Delight...and now Rest!!

Darilynn Tarbox

New Life Church
Biddeford, ME
www.newlifemaine.org