I will listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. PSALM 85:8 (NLT)

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Yesterday was Election Day for runoff races. What little commercial television we watch has been filled with advertising for candidates each of whom promised they would FIGHT for you when they get to Washington or Austin. It seems as if the one characteristic necessary to get elected is that the candidate be a FIGHTER, not a lover. 

Perhaps this is a significant reason we are in the mess we are in? 

I loathe election years. Candidates bring out the guns, knives, hand grenades, and anti-personnel mines. They carefully hone sound bites to sound strong and defiant. It’s the candidate and us against the world. I cannot think of a single candidate with a message that says something like, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”

Election season is wearisome. Where do we go for refreshment? How do we wash our ears out with soap? This verse in Psalm 85 provides treasured guidance: “I will listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.”

What if the last thing we heard or read before bedtime was not the ten o’clock news, which is bad, worse, and terrible, except for that one little story at the very end that makes everyone smile and say, “Aww,” what if we spent a moment contemplating God’s words of truth and life? 

Writing in my Younique journal and reflecting on my day last night, I was led back to two Bible passages I am committing to memory. Pondering those words, I laid me down to sleep. 

Praying through Psalm 23, I came to the part where it says God does all the necessary fighting. He is bigger, stronger, and better than any opponent ever. He knows when and how to fight. I do not have to fight my own battles. I do not need a politician to fight my battles. I will stick close to God who seeks the highest and best for every person, who heals my hurts, who fills my cup to overflowing, and who provides goodness and mercy every day of my life and forever. 

In this day of FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT, let us listen carefully to what God says. He is speaking peace. He surrounds us with his love and mercy. His words are grace and truth. 

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I will listen carefully to what God says morning by morning and evening by evening.

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Our Father, we need your words of truth and life, grace and peace. Give us the discipline of committing your words to memory. Guide us by your wisdom. Empower us to see others the way you do, especially those who cannot think of anything better to do than fight. Empower us to overcome evil with good. Amen.