Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 37:1-9
October 7, 2007
Rev. Philip A. Bouknight
Three times in this section of Psalm thirty seven we hear the words “Do not fret.” The verb to fret no longer holds a place in our regular vocabulary. To fret over something is different than to worry. Worry implies concern whereas fretting describes a state of being where something gnaws at you to the point that you are overcome by your concerns. It eats away at you little by little and eventually wears you out. The Psalmist isn’t saying that we should never be concerned. He is saying that we should never let our concerns overwhelm us. He can make such a statement, because at the core of fretting is disbelief. To fret means that we have come to a point where we no longer believe our concerns can be overcome.
If we fret over our troubles, then we have forgotten that Christ has delivered us from all trouble. Sure we might face troubling moments in our life, but in the end Christ is our hope. We may fight terrible diseases, but in the end Christ destroys all disease. We may have enemies on this earth, but in Christ those enemies have been conquered. Such things can make us concerned and rightly so, but none of these concerns should lift our eyes away from the one who carries our burdens. Do not fret.
As the congregation prepares for a pastoral vacancy, there will be the tendency to fret. Members will wonder if visitors will stay. They may wonder if others might leave. Conversations may tend to turn inward so that more time is spent with these cares and concerns than with the ongoing work of the church. When you see this happening, remember psalm thirty seven. Do not fret. Do not allow your concerns to have power over you. Do not allow your concerns to take the place of God’s work among you. God, who provided for this congregation for nearly two centuries, will provide for it now. God, who used this congregation as a beacon to those around it, will shine through it now. Do not fret. Instead lift your eyes to Christ and place your hope in him. The psalmist lists four things that will aid us in this process; trust, delight, commitment and patience.
Trust in the Lord.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Psalm 37:3
We have no reason whatsoever to doubt God’s word. Since he said that he will be with us to the end of the age, then he will. Since he said, I will not abandon you then he will not. Take God at his word and you will not be overwhelmed by whatever struggles you face. As you trust in God, be compelled to act in his name. As you wait for a pastor, do not cease to do good. Be about the work of his kingdom. Continue to find ways personally and as a congregation where you can serve the world around you. When you trust in him and live for him, then your security will rest on him. He will not be shaken and he will keep his word.
Take delight in the Lord.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Do not stake your life on the things of this world for they will surely disappoint you and they cannot sustain you. If we delight in anything more than we delight in God, then we begin to trust in the things that are not God. When we delight in God, the desires of our heart become desires of knowing God and serving him. Our personal desires give way to that which God desires for us. As you wait for a pastor, take delight in what God is doing through the faithful service of this congregation.
Commit your way to the Lord.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5
Anytime we as individuals or as a church commit our way to something other than God, we experience trouble. Commitment is yoked with trust. Do we trust that God will care for us? Do we trust that he will provide for us or do we only trust in ourselves? Our commitment to God and his church shows us that our trust is in him. If we are committed to God and his mission through the Church, then our actions will show it. He will use our commitment, acting through us so that the world may know him. As you wait for a pastor, recommit yourselves to the ministry of the Church. Find new and deeper ways to serve him.
Be still before the Lord.
Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; Psalm 37:7a
This is probably the hardest one of them all. We live in a society that does not tolerate being still. It is a society of fast food and instant gratification. The tendency will be to focus on how fast a new pastor can be called as if our security rests on that person. Our only security is in God. Listen to the needs of the congregation. Listen to the places that God is calling you to go. Slow down and search for God in the midst of his people. As you wait for a new pastor, be patient. Do not pray for a speedy process. Pray for the right man or woman to lead you. Pray for God to prepare your hearts and the heart of the one that will be called to serve you. God will grant you your desires in his own good time. He will provide a faithful leader; one who will love you and care for you. Do not fret.
Our trust in God does not rely upon a minister’s presence. The source of our delight is not a minister’s presence. Our commitment isn’t to a pastor or even a church. It is to God. We may be still and listen to God’s calling, even when there is no pastor in the pulpit. The Church is not a pastor, nor is its building. It is the people of God who worship God with their lives. The church does not cease to be the church. We exist for others. We cannot turn inward in this crucial time, because the needs of this family and the community never end. This community needs you more than ever. There are hungry people to feed. There are homes without heat. There are some who are sick and cannot afford a doctor. There are children without homes and homes without love. This congregation has every wonderful gift from God to make it a glorious beacon of light. Do not turn inward. Do not fret.
Concerns are bound to come. Do not be overwhelmed by them. Instead, let the presence of Christ overwhelm you in the midst of your concern. Give your concerns over to him and let them go. Remember that God is with you and he will never abandon you. Remember that it is you who will show that Christ is alive in this world. Keep the faith.
Trust his word.
Delight in his provision.
Commit yourselves to his mission.
Listen and be patient.
Above all…do not fret.
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