Monday, 9 March 2026

"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. – 2 Kings 6:7

Today's Scripture Reading (March 9, 2026): 2 Kings 6

I am not sure why, but I receive political emails from both the political right and the left. At some point, and I really don't remember, I must have signed up for something. And to be honest, they both frustrate me. One of the reasons for my frustration is that both sides are trying to convince me of things that just aren't true. I really do believe that the correct political path for the nation is found somewhere in the center. These emails, however, are always trying to cast the other side on the radical right or left, a place where some exist, but not as many as we are often led to believe.

One of these emails contained a poll. And the poll question was "I am going to vote for (Political Party) and for sanity in our politics." The second option was "I am comfortable with out-of-control policies of the (other Political Party)." I quickly voted for the out-of-control option in frustration and sent my vote back in. If you don't really want to know, or you don't want to take a serious look at our political problems, then stop asking the question.

The reality is that we need to take a stand for what is correct and moral in our politics. And that reality sometimes means voting for sanity, even if it runs counter to our political leanings. I admit I have recently voted against my political beliefs because I have felt the party's leadership in my comfort zone had leaned too far to the extreme. However, I do believe that we all have a responsibility to do something. Vote not just in your comfort zone, but because a party is willing to address issues that are relevant to where we live our lives—protest, especially if the government is involved in something that goes against your sense of morality. Write your representative. These people are ruling in our place, and they need to know we are paying attention to their actions. What is right will not be done automatically. Every politician I know (well, almost) will do something stupid if they believe we are not willing to participate in the process. If you are silent, then those who are vocal will shape our nation.

We read this story of Elisha, and we get caught up in the description of the piece of wood that Elisha throws in the water, which seemed to allow the ax head to float. Like many other rods and sticks in the Bible, it is just a sign of a miracle that God was about to perform. God could have lifted the ax head out of the water and placed it into the hand of the man who had lost it. But he didn't do that; he made it float. Which meant the man who lost it still had to get wet, get into the water, and grab the ax head for himself. God will move, but usually only if we are willing to move and meet him partway. If we want God to move in our lives or in our nation, we need to meet him halfway and be involved in what is correct and moral. God can make the ax head float, but we will still have to get wet.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 7

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