Canaan Fellowship

Fret Not: Trusting God in the Face of Evil

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Canaan Fellowship
Canaan Fellowship
Fret Not: Trusting God in the Face of Evil
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This sermon by Bill Teubl focuses on Psalm 37, examining how believers should respond to evil and wickedness in the world. He connects this to Christmas by noting that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and explains that while God is patiently restraining judgment to allow for repentance, the righteous must learn to live at peace amidst opposition. The core message is a call to trust God fully, avoid internal anger over evil, and actively pursue a godly response.

  • [00:00:00] The sermon introduces Psalm 37, framing the discussion of evil as the reason Jesus had to come—to destroy the devil’s works.
  • [00:01:38] Bill reads Psalm 37:1-11, which forms the foundation for the message, emphasizing commands like “Fret not,” “Trust in the Lord,” and “Delight yourself in the Lord.”
    • [00:02:51] He notes the connection between Psalm 37:11 (“the meek shall inherit the land”) and Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.
  • [00:03:23] He defines evil as anything that opposes God’s will and the wicked as those who consciously cooperate with and perpetuate that evil.
  • [00:05:34] God’s primary will is for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, which evil opposes.
  • [00:06:28] Citing Hebrews 2:6-9, he explains we live in an age where Jesus has all authority, but not everything is yet subject to Him, which is purposeful.
  • [00:09:27] The primary exhortation from Psalm 37:1 is “Fret not,” meaning to not burn with inner anger or agitation over evildoers.
    • [00:10:12] He references Psalm 42:10 to illustrate how the taunts of adversaries can feel like a deadly, shattering wound.
  • [00:13:49] The solution to fretting is outlined in the psalm’s positive commands for trusting God.
    1. [00:14:16] Remember that evil is temporary and will fade (Psalm 37:2).
    2. [00:16:34] Trust in the Lord by doing good, dwelling in your land, and befriending faithfulness (Psalm 37:3).
    3. [00:18:53] Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4), which means to find soft, warm comfort and joy in God’s character.
    4. [00:24:24] Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5), which means to roll your burdens over to Him, an act of worship.
    5. [00:28:52] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7), which involves quieting oneself with an expectation of God’s action.
  • [00:29:51] The commands are repeated: refrain from anger, forsake wrath, and do not fret, as it only leads to evil (Psalm 37:8).
  • [00:34:52] The promise is that the wicked will be gone in “a little while,” and the meek—those who trust God—will inherit the land and delight in abundant peace (Psalm 37:9-11).
  • [00:37:00] He recommends memorizing Psalm 37:1-11 and meditating on it, especially during quiet or wakeful moments at night, to internalize its truths.

Scripture References

  • Psalm 37
  • Psalm 37:1-11
  • Matthew 5:5
  • Hebrews 2:6-9
  • Psalm 42:10
  • James 5

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