Crucified Hearts

In the first 10 versus Psalm 37, in vss. 1,7,8, we are told not to fret over evil doers.

Rather than I making an argument why this is so, I would recommend reading Psalm 37 for yourself. Here are the first 10 verses and then a link to follow for the full Psalm. Suffice to say there is great wisdom and peace in these words that can be taken as both a prayer and a Psalm of David.

Why should we bother? Apart from the Christian understanding that this is the inspired Word of God, by no means a small consideration, there would be the added urgency of the times we live in, times when many hearts are failing themselves for fear. Anxiety, panic, fear, chaos, anger, and bitterness dominate the feelings of many as the cacophony of cable news reverberates between our heart and head. It is no longer the wild-eyed enthusiast who proclaims the end of the world, but the most rational among us question humanity’s future in the light of our self-destructive ways.

How many of us have lost our way in the darkness as we journey through life? That’s a reference to Dante by the way. Will medication alone deliver us from a pandemic of mental illness, from dark nights of the soul that are the more fridged with our forgetfulness of God?

Do we have something to lose in turning to the Word of God in our despairing cries for redemption, for salvation from ourselves?

I say not. Rather, we have our souls to gain and the Promise fulfilled, the promise eternal found in Jesus Christ.

Of David.
Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
— Psalm 37:1-10

The full text of Psalm 37 is here https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Psalm+37e