Waiting Rather Than Fretting
Deliverance from a fretting spirit comes through humility, self-abnegation, and a patient carrying of the cross, with God's sovereignty over all things.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inevitability of external stimuli that cause vexation in our lives, suggesting that true deliverance from a fretting spirit comes through humility, self-denial, and patience. He acknowledges the apparent success of evildoers and the struggles of the righteous, warning that a prayerless Christian may misinterpret their circumstances and succumb to fretfulness. Tozer encourages believers to adopt a heavenly perspective, recognizing that while the wicked may seem to thrive temporarily, their success is fleeting. Ultimately, he reassures that the salvation of the righteous is secure in the Lord, who serves as their stronghold in times of trouble, providing peace amidst turmoil.
Text
Of one thing we may be sure; we can never escape the external stimuli that cause vexation. The world is full of them and though we were to retreat to a cave and live the remainder of our days alone, we still could not lose them. The rough floor of our cave would chafe us, the weather would irritate us and the very silence would cause us to fret.
Deliverance from a fretting spirit may be by blood and fire, by humility, self-abnegation and a patient carrying of the cross. There will always be "evildoers" and "workers of iniquity," and for the most part they will appear to succeed while the forces of righteousness will seem to fail. The wicked will always have the money and the talent and the publicity and the numbers, while the righteous will be few and poor and unknown. The prayerless Christian will surely misread the signs and fret against the circumstances. That is what the Spirit warns us against.
Let us look out calmly upon the world; or better yet, let us look down upon it from above where Christ is seated and we are seated in Him. Though the wicked spread himself like "a green tree in its native soil" (Psalm 37:35), it is only for a moment. Soon he passes away and is not. But "the salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble" (verse 39). This knowledge should cure the fretting spirit.
Sermon Outline
- The Inescapability of External Stimuli
- Deliverance from a Fretting Spirit
- A Correct Perspective on the World
- Look at the world from a heavenly perspective
- Recognize God's sovereignty over all things
Key Quotes
“The world is full of them and though we were to retreat to a cave and live the remainder of our days alone, we still could not lose them.” — A.W. Tozer
“The wicked will always have the money and the talent and the publicity and the numbers, while the righteous will be few and poor and unknown.” — A.W. Tozer
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- To overcome a fretting spirit, you must cultivate humility and self-abnegation.
- Patiently carrying the cross is essential for deliverance from a fretting spirit.
- Maintaining a calm perspective in the face of adversity requires looking at the world from a heavenly perspective.