Thought for February 24

 History:

• 1582: Pope Gregory announces a new calendar
• 1803: Marbury v. Madison, first time a statute ruled unconstitutional
• 1868: First parade with floats--Mardi Gras in Mobile
• 1868: House votes to impeach Andrew Johnson
• 1909: Hudson Motor Car Company founded
• 1930: Harry Ironside called to pastor Moody Bible Church
• 1969: "Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" premiers
• 1981: Prince Charles announces his engagement to Diana Spencer
• 2008: Fidel Castro retires
• 2020: Scientist identify the first animal that does not require oxygen--a parasite living in salmon tissue
• Born: Wilhelm Grimm [Fairy Tales], Honus Wagner, Chester Nimitz, Abe Vigoda, John Vernon, Phil Knight, Joe Lieberman, Steve Jobs, Paula Zahn, Zach Johnson, 
• Died: Robert Fulton, Charles Monroe Sheldon [wrote "In His Steps" from which we got "What Would Jesus Do"], Malcom Forbes, George Gobel, Dinah Shore, Don Knotts, Dennis Weaver, Jan Berenstain, Harold Ramis

Thought:

Yesterday I was looking at Malachi 2:17 where God says our words make Him weary.  Today, I am reading 3:13-15 where God says our words are arrogant. The people ask how have our words been arrogant against God? God responds--you say it is vain to serve God. You say it is not profitable to obey God. You say the arrogant and wicked prosper and escape God's judgment. 

I think all of us have had this question at some time in our life. Why do the evil and wicked ones prosper? Why do the innocent and good suffer? Why do the dishonest business men or those who pursue wicked businesses make all the money? I've been good and what do I get? This leads to fear, anxiety and fretting and envy. 

David was familiar with this issue: Read Psalm 37. 

• Do not fret because of evil doers. [37:1]
• Even when they plot against you [37:12]
• Even when they attack with the sword [37:14]
• Even when they spy on you to kill you [37:32]
• Do not envy wrongdoers [37:1]
• Even when they brag and show off their wealth and power [37:35]
• Do not fret because of the prosperous or the wicked schemer. [37:7]
• Why?
• Envy leads to hatred. Titus 3:3; Mark 15:10
• Envy leads to violence Proverbs 3:31
• Envy leads you to do evil [37:8]
• The evil doers, wicked and arrogant
• Wither quickly [37:2]
• Will be cut off [37:9, 10, 22]
• Will lose their power [37:17]
• Will perish [37:20]
• Instead of fretting and envying
• Trust the Lord [37:3]
• Do good [37:3]
• Cultivate, grow in faithfulness [37:3]
• Delight in the Lord not stuff [37:4, 23]
• Commit your way to the Lord [37:5]
• Rest in the Lord [37:7]
• Avoid anger and revenge [37:8]
• Why?
• You will be brought forth as light [37:6]
• You will inherit the land [37:9, 11, 22]--an eternal inheritance [37:18]
• You will prosper in the right things [37:11]
• The Lord will sustain you [37:17]
• You will never be forsaken [37:28]
• You will be preserved forever [37:28]
• You will never be condemned [37:33, Romans 8:1]
• You will ultimately be exalted [37:34]
• You will be saved [37:39]
• You will be helped and delivered [37:40]
• Even when you stumble, you will not fall because the Lord holds your hand [37:23]

Lord, protect my heart and mind from judging Your love by what I see and allow me to trust Your love in all circumstances. 

Blessings

Larry