It's all over the news. Russia has invaded the Ukraine,
even though there are many wars and conflicts
that are constantly happening around the world
at any given time, for whatever reason,
this one in particular has caught our attention.
We have many concerns about this conflict.
We wonder what is the death toll going to be?
How many Ukrainian soldiers are going to die?
How many Russian soldiers are going to die?
How many innocent civilians are going to die?
We also wonder about the destruction that's going
to take place in that country.
We might also wonder about the effect that it might
have on our own economy?
What is this going to do to our own way of life?
But I think the biggest question of all is,
what does this mean for the future?
Will this result in something greater?
Jesus tells us in Matthew
chapter 24.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,
see that you are not alarmed because all
these things must happen. That is not yet the end.
Nation will rise against nation and kingdom
against kingdom.
But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus tells us not to be alarmed at wars
and rumors of wars. Instead, he tells us what they are.
There are signs of the end of the world.
There are reminders that this world is going
to come to a close.
We are reminded of that at times and pain and suffering
and death a natural disaster,
we're reminded that this world is broken by sin.
But especially in war, we're reminded of this,
that our own human hearts are broken by sin.
We see the evil in mankind to rise up against his neighbor,
to take his life for his own selfish aims.
And yet, Jesus would have us see all of this and know
that he is coming soon to bring us to be with him
forever and heaven to rescue us from this broken world.
But what about right now?
What about the things that we are feeling
and the worries that we have on our mind now?
God tells us in Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who can always be found in times of trouble.
Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall.
God raises his voice, the Earth melts.
The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.
God reminds us who's in control. He is.
Even though the nations are in turmoil
and kingdoms fall,
God simply raises his voice and the Earth melts.
He reminds us he's in control of everything,
no matter what we see around us in our own world
and encourages us to come to him.
He says that he is the helper who can always be
found in times of trouble. He is our refuge and strength.
And so he invites us at the present time to turn to him.
To trust him. Yes,
we can turn to him as we bring our prayers
and concerns before him knowing that he gladly hears us.
But we also trust in him knowing as he has promised
that he works all things together for our good,
even evil, even war. He is at work for our good,
for our eternal good so that nothing,
not evil forces, not sin itself.
Nothing can tear us from him and from the salvation
that he is prepared for us in heaven through his Son,
Jesus Christ.
So he invites us at the present time to not
be anxious and worried, but to turn to him.
Trust in him.
Trust that he is in control and to pray. Let us pray now.
Dear Lord God,
we are distraught over the violence
and destruction and harm to human life as a result
of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
We also fear the impact this military
action will have on the world.
While the future is unknown to us, comfort us,
that you know all things and that you work all things
together for our eternal good. If it is your will,
we ask that you bring swift end to this conflict
and that there may be peace. Be with those who are suffering,
protect them from harm and draw them closer to you.
May this war be a reminder to us that this world
is coming to an end and that Jesus is coming soon.
Help us look forward to that day in great
anticipation knowing that our salvation is secure in him.
Amen.