Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
It’s Monday morning Friends! And all God’s people jumped out of bed with abundant joy in their hearts, a sweet song of praise on their lips, and the sincere intention to go out into the new work week and diligently work in Jesus’ Holy Name! Wow! Now wouldn’t that be something mih people! The evil doers wouldn’t be able to stop us. They’d drop like flies in honey, and once we had their undivided attention, we could teach and show them all about our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Oh what marvellous gifts of dreams and imagination that our Creator built into us eh! And He gave them to us so that we could imagine sensational scenarios like the whole world coming to know and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and to dream those big, beautiful dreams of Him not losing even one single, human soul to Beelzebub. Now those are not impossible happenings Friends, since nothing is impossible if we work with Jesus. However, we believers have to first believe them, see them through our eyes of faith, then go out and diligently work towards them. However, until we all reach that high point of maturity, where we look forward to Mondays, (smile) we’ll just have to continue singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our faith and our adrenalin in motion. So all together now, in loud, enthusiastic, sincere voice, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now didn’t that get the motor running? On a Monday morning, many of us are like a cold car engine on a winter’s morn, where the oil is heavy and unwieldy, and won’t flow smoothly until the engine runs for a few minutes and warms it up. Well consider ourselves warmed up now, with minds, bodies and hearts all beating in an even tempo, in tune with Christ’s song, and His orchestral direction. In other words my brethren, we’re ready to face the evil world, and fight to the death for Jesus! And our Bit provides some wisdom essential for us to do just that. ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm).’ Oh Friends, that’s some of the best advice we can ever get! It’s very appropriate for every aspect of our earthly journey; home, school, work, and even play. Bruh Paul rephrased our Bit thus to the Ephesians: ‘Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place (an opportunity) to the devil.’ (Eph.4:26-27) Meanwhile, Bruh David, in Psalm 4; and evening prayer of trust in God, puts it this way. ‘Stand in awe (tremble), and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.’ (Ps.4:4) And the author of Psalm 119, had this to say on the subject. ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’ (Ps.119:11) Oh Friends, those are all strong truths for believers to establish in their faith walk. Now here’s Cousin Sol’s advice on the topic. ‘Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end (a hereafter); and thine expectations (hope) shall not be cut off.’ (Prov.23:17-18) Oh my people, if we follow that wise advice, then we’ll surely cut down on our anger, and consequently give Lucifer less opportunity to invade our lives. And if you think that’s not so, then listen to the psalmist Asaph when he didn’t follow it in Psalm 73, the mystery of prosperous wickedness. ‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean (pure) heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone (I had almost stumbled); my steps had well-nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish (boastful), when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.’ (Ps.73:1-3, 17) Yuh see mih breddren, Asaph didn’t understand the end of the wicked, until he got in serious touch with his godly side. So it’s very possible for even the most righteous to slip and fall if we’re not careful, for the enemy is always on the prowl, and he’s also very smart and versatile in his trickery. And there’s no better way to end than with the opening verse of Psalm 37, the true state of the wicked, from which our Bit is taken. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on his faithfulness).’ (Ps.37:1-3) Wise words indeed from Bruh David! Please Friends, let’s inwardly digest them, then put them into diligent action nuh, so that our earthly lives will be much improved. That’s wisdom for all the ages! Much LOVE!…abide in me…and I in you…as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself…except it abide in the vine…no more can ye…except ye abide in me… (John 15:4)
SCRIP-BITS 