Psalm 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints–
but let them not return to folly.

The writer starts with a very wise premise: listen to God. So much misery would be averted if we would just do that! I would say this writer had fairly good spiritual ears, too, because what he hears the Lord saying is consistent with the whole rest of the Bible. God indeed speaks peace to those who have ears to hear, but if they are stubborn in their foolishness, they won’t receive it. Many, many people want God to bless them, but they don’t want to be obedient to Him. In Christian terms, they want a Savior, but they don’t want a Lord. The Bible is very clear that it doesn’t work that way. This applies on the personal level – saints – and on the national level – God’s people. For the past 200 years America has been a nation that, though highly imperfect, was founded on, and has tried to operate on, Biblical principles. Over the past few decades that has taken a strong turn for the worse, and the past few years have been extreme. In conse­quence, God has allowed leadership to match, and the level of overt hostility to Christian faith has caused many people to wake up to what has been going on. However, change on the national level has got to start on the personal level, with real repentance. Repentance means not only saying, “I was wrong,” it means changing direction to do what is right. The only hope for America, and for the World, is salvation by grace through faith, and saving faith commits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

I have been largely apolitical for most of my life, but recent trends have shaken me from my apathy. As has been widely quoted in recent months, the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. However, there is an important balance called for. We cannot legislate righteousness, but we must not legislate evil. It is indeed a spiritual battle, and merely human methods and motivations won’t get the job done. It is both a blessing and a frustration that I am at such a physical remove from the US. It drives me to prayer because I can do little else, but it makes me want to take a more physically active part. I guess this is further training in trusting God to be God! My personal field of labor is clear, and it’s right where I am. I am to be faithful at the tasks God sets for me, including praying that His name be hallowed, His kingdom come, and His will be done.

Father, You know my strong tendency toward conflict avoidance. Thank You for continuing to grow me in every area, not to seek conflict but not to avoid it either, if obedience to You results in opposition. Help me remember who is the enemy, and who is Lord, so that I may be effective in liberating those who have been duped by the enemy, and lead them into the liberty of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Thank You. Hallelujah!