Psalm 37

“Stop Fretting”

Introduction:

1. How can we stop fretting?

2. Psalm 37 three times “Fret not” (vss. 1,7,8) How?

I. A NEW FOCUS 37:1-11

II. A NEW FOUNDATION 37:23-31

III. A NEW FREEDOM 37:34-40

How can we stop fretting?

I. A NEW FOCUS 37:1-11

A. His Direction 3

Trust in the Lord and do that which is right.

Does it work? “Land”= blessing and an abundant Christian

life. “Fed”=nothing lacking and every need is met.

B. His Delight 4

Delight…extreme satisfaction, a high degree of gratitude…joy!

In the Lord…where are you going for your joy or satisfaction?

C. His Dependence 5,6

Commit thy way into the Lord

Does it work? He will accomplish His purpose in us.

Others will see what God has done!

D. His Discipline 7

Rest and wait patiently for Him…

God is always at work!

E. His Deliverance 8-10

Cease from anger…forsake wrath…especially anger against circumstances and arrangements permitted by God.

*Leave God out and life is cut short…the wicked are here and

gone.

*That which is bothering you...will it matter 10 or 50 years from

now?

*Eternity helps put things in focus.

F. His Destiny 11

Meek is strength under His control.

*Abundant life…*Peace…

How can we stop fretting?

II. A NEW FOUNDATION 37:23-31

A. His Trust 23-26

1. God Stabilizes… ordered=established

2. God Smiles “He delights in his way...”

3. God Sustains 24

4. God Supplies 25,26

Age can give perspective and a sense of history.

B. His Treasure 27-29

There are two admonitions and a promise.

*Doing the will of God is doing that which is right.

C. His Truth 30,31

The law of the Lord is in his heart…it affects his entire life!

How can we stop fretting?

III. A NEW FREEDOM 37:34-40

A. Patience 34

*God is never in a hurry!

Wait on the Lord and keep His way…

*One day God will settle all accounts. That’s His business not

yours!

*God knows what He is doing, and one day we will see clearly.

B. Perspective 35-38

*See how He sees!

*When I get all caught up in the temporary, I fail to see the

eternal!

C. Power 39,40

“I am not strong enough!”

*The Lord must do it! We won’t and we can’t!

*He is salvation…He is strength.

The Lord shall help…shall deliver…shall save them

Because they trust in Him!

Stop Fretting! How?

It’s not in us. It’s in Him!

New Focus

New Foundation

New Freedom

Let Go and Let God!