From Fret to Fulfillment
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From Fret to Fulfillment
1. Why Does It Look Like the Wicked Win?
Have you ever seen someone who openly rejects God and yet seems to be thriving? You might find yourself thinking, “Lord, I’m doing everything I can to follow you, but it looks like they are the ones winning.” This tension isn’t new. It’s addressed in Psalm 73, Psalm 49, and throughout the book of Job. David tackles this head-on in Psalm 37.
David says, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. For like the grass, they will soon wither; like green plants, they will soon die away.” The word “fret” in Hebrew means to become hot or angry. We are instructed not to let envy or anger consume us when we see non-believers prospering.
Their success is temporary, like plants that quickly wither under the sun. This world is passing away, and our focus should not be on earthly success but on eternal life with God. As 1 John reminds us, “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Instead of envying them, our hearts should break for them, and we should pray for opportunities to lovingly share the gospel with them.
2. What Should We Do Instead?
Trust in the Lord and Do Good
Psalm 37:3 instructs us to “Trust in the Lord and do good.” This means relying on God’s faithfulness, resting in His promises, and living obediently even when life seems unfair. Doing good isn’t just being nice; it means living righteously, following God’s commandments, and honoring Him with our actions.
When we do this, we will “dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture,” finding security and sustenance within God’s boundaries.
Delight in the Lord
Verse 4 says, “Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” To delight means to take deep joy in who God is, not just in what He gives. We should seek His face, not just His hand. Moses exemplified this when he moved from reluctance to longing for God’s glory.
Taking delight involves pursuing intimacy with God through prayer, worship, and times of silence and solitude. In that stillness, God speaks directly to us and draws us deeper into relationship.
Delighting in the Lord also means becoming spiritually pliable, allowing God to shape our desires. As we delight in Him, our desires become aligned with His will. This doesn’t mean God gives us everything we want; instead, He transforms our hearts so that what we want aligns with His purpose.
3. Commit Your Way to the Lord
Verse 5 calls us to “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.” The Hebrew word for commit means “to roll on,” suggesting the act of entrusting a heavy burden to someone stronger.
When we give God control, He makes our “righteous reward shine like the dawn” and our “vindication like the noonday sun.” Our righteousness becomes visible and undeniable, much like the bright midday sun.
4. A Personal Journey from Fret to Fulfillment
For years, I struggled with why it seemed like the wicked were winning. About ten years ago, God called my wife to leave her secure job and become an urban missionary, raising her full salary. At first, I was fine with it because I made enough to maintain our lifestyle.
But soon after, God called me to full-time ministry as well. I resisted, worried about losing material things and comparing myself to neighbors who seemed to have it all. For over a month, I wrestled with God, asking Him to delay the call until I felt more financially secure.
Eventually, I shared with my wife, and despite her initial shock, she supported me. God used this step of obedience to shift my focus from stuff to His presence. Even though our income was cut in half, our quality of life soared because we were walking in obedience.
The greatest gift I could give my family wasn’t more stuff but showing them a life of obedience to Jesus. Our children saw us choose faithfulness over possessions, and that testimony is more valuable than anything material.
5. An Invitation to Small Groups and Deeper Community
At Pathway, we are so thankful to serve and grow together. This fall, we’ll focus on three key areas for our small groups:
Communication
We’ll raise awareness about small groups through all our communication channels to share the benefits of community. If you’re not in a small group yet, we want to help you get connected.
Collaboration
We’re encouraging collaboration between groups to foster discipleship and the sharing of wisdom across generations. God has called us to disciple one another, and this is a beautiful opportunity to grow together.
Coaching
We’ll provide coaching for current and new group leaders to equip them with tools to lead well and honor God in their groups.
Final Encouragement
Take your eyes off what others have and focus your attention on Jesus. Delight in Him, and watch your desires transform to match His will. You’ll be amazed at what God can do in and through you when you move from fret to fulfillment.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Ross Owens
Series: Summer Psalms
Sermon Title: From Fret to Fulfillment
Date: Jul 6, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Psalm 37:1–6
1 John 2:15–17
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