Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
It's easy to think that if we fret, we're accomplishing something useful, however, it really only leads to more fretting if we're honest. Looking throughout history, God's people have prospered regardless of their circumstances, so why do we fret?
While captive in Egypt, the Israelites grew in numbers beyond the comfort of the Egyptian rulers...they (the rulers) feared that if the Israelites continued to increase, the Egyptians would be outnumbered. Exodus 1:7, KJV: "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them." The Egyptian rulers went so far as to hire mid-wives to kill all of the male babies during birth or shortly after, but the mid-wives wouldn't do it; they were hero's of their time, their names were Shifra and Puah.
God always provides a way for His people...we only need to trust Him and not rely on our own understanding and not give up hope. The circumstances around us may seem bleak, but there is hope! Jesus is coming again, it may be a ways off, or it may be sooner than we can imagine. Though, we are not given a day or a time for Jesus' return, we do know that each day that passes brings us one day closer to His return. What should we be doing when He returns?
Peter tells us in verse eleven and twelve, "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed it's coming." 2 Peter 3:11-12
Warren Wiersbe tells us that "Christians should be different, not odd. When you are different, you attract people; when you are odd, you repel them." Every area of our lives should be focused on seeing the world through Jesus's eyes and loving each other out of the overflow of our hearts in Christ.
When you look back at scripture showing us who prospered and survived during captivity, we learn that those who were obedient to God and His laws were the ones who prevailed, sometimes against all odds. Look at the story of Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah and others who lived in captivity, against all odds God blessed them and protected them from physical harm.
Closing Thoughts
We are entering a time when we need to sharpen our understanding of God's grace and mercy for His people so that we do not lose hope. By worldy standards, it may seem hopeless, but by God's standards, we are entering into a time when He will show His mighty works so that we will know that He is God and we are His people.
I hope that fear has no place in your life, that only goodness and mercy shall follow us as Psalm 23 promises, that we will call on the Lord as our Shepherd and follow His lead as we go forward from now until His coming again.
Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for He is with me; His rod and His staff comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; He anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will live in the house of the Lord for ever... And ever, Amen!
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