Keeping a right heart

One thing God seems to constantly be reminding me is to keep a right heart before him.

So words like these always strike me:

Do not be agitated by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong. (Psalm 37:1-2)

I don’t typically have a problem envying those who do wrong. But agitation?

Try anger. Especially when I see the evil rampant in society and the corruption in government.

But time and again, God reminds me,

for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. (James 1:20)

Instead, when I see evil that would lead me to anger,

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. (1-2, ESV)

In short, don’t worry about the evil others in society may be doing. Keep trusting God, keeping being faithful to him, and do the good he has asked you to do.

More,

Take delight in the Lord… (4)

If we make the Lord our joy, all other things that would normally anger or agitate us will pale in comparison.

And so God tells me,

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him;
do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
by the person who carries out evil plans.

Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.

For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will inherit the land (7-9)

Instead of getting all worked up at the evil that I see, be still. Wait for him. If I let myself get angry, it will only lead me into sin.

And then there are these words:

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom;
his tongue speaks what is just.

The instruction of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not falter. (30-31)

It’s kind of hard to utter words of wisdom and justice when my heart is ruled by anger. And so I want my heart to be reigned by God’s word.

More, I want each word I speak to be bathed in his grace and truth.

That’s hard to do in these times. But that’s what God is telling me. What is God telling you?