“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1-2 ESV)
God works miracles.
God also works through normal means, using his people to care for his people.
These are evacuee children being cared for in longer term housing at our partner camp.
crafts and lessonsoutdoor playcooperation practicedfun and games
We’re so grateful to God to be a part of helping these children. Many of them have experienced the horror of the war.
But right now, they are safe, warm and playing.
Thanks be to God.
Thank you for praying, please continue.
Thank you for giving. As you pray and give, you too are the hands and feet of God.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1-2 ESV)
While Darius led Persia, God worked to return the Jews to Jerusalem and it’s surrounding region. In his promise (prophesy) God said through Zechariah (ch 8) that peace and prosperity would return.
Jerusalem was a ruin and had to be rebuilt. God was reminding his people that he was with them and for them. this sentence struck me just now as I read it:
“Therefore love truth and peace.” (Zechariah 8:19 ESV)
Today’s images can help us understand the horror of what the Babylonians did in Palestine. *(I make no connection between current or past wars with what happened those many centuries ago, eschatological or otherwise.)*
During that struggle, as now, God is with us. Today, we have the possibility of an even fuller understanding of the greatness of the love and care of God through the life and work of Jesus (which culminates in his resurrection).
Jesus is the truth.
Jesus brings peace, between God and those who follow him.
“Therefore love truth and peace.” (Zechariah 8:19 ESV)
Jesus, centuries after the prophecy through Zechariah, is the way to understand this sentence:
“Therefore love truth and peace.” (Zechariah 8:19 ESV)
Peace is not just the end of war, it is a state of being that comes from being at peace with God because of the work of Jesus.
But sometimes we choose not to live in peace. Sometimes we choose to abide in anger, or allow ourselves to be unforgiving, or simply avoiding those we don’t like (for whatever reason).
For the follower of Jesus, this is to live in opposite to his prophesy (above) and commands to love.
It is easy to hate, to look down on people, even whole races and nations. Indeed, it is natural for us to act this way. Hate and apathy are actually quite human. Quite fallen, but quite human.
But it is not biblical living.
When I realize I am hating, avoiding, or refusing to forgive a person, a group, or a whole people, I must repent. I must turn to God and ask him to change my heart into one that loves “truth and peace.”
Let us turn to love truth and peace.
For a deeper consideration of this, from a different perspective, I recommend the teaching that is available through the link ⬇️
One little bright spot for some folks on the evacuee train on Easter morning was to receive Easter cakes and a reminder, from some caring friends, of the hope in the resurrection!
On this day after Orthodox Easter we rejoice in the risen Jesus.
A text of Scripture that has been key to life for me over the years is helpful always, but especially at this moment.
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)
This is timely as I get updates from friends. I’ve learned of new air attacks upon railways and five railway stations (places withheld). Western Ukraine, like southern Ukraine, is increasingly targeted.
I also learned of the murder of a friend’s cousin and her teenage children by enemy troops in Mariupol. Please pray for this family as they grieve.
This war is a global tragedy, but it is also very, very personal.
While the atrocities continue, so do the efforts of our partners who have housed several thousands who move west.
They have fed almost 70,000 who have no access to food. These are in cities, but also villages and suburbs that the big NGO feeding centers cannot help. As the war continues, so do their efforts.
They continue to help those on evacuation trains.
Photo Credit: Ukrainian State Railways
To God be the Glory.
May God have mercy.
May God comfort Ukrainians who are now in the third month of war. May His Spirit surround and fill them as they wrestle with continuing bad news. May Jesus, our great high priest, who understands, draw them all up into his presence and join them in their grieving.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for staying informed.
Thank you for giving to our Ukraine Aid fund so that we may continue sending resources daily to help Ukrainians who are serving their fellow Ukrainians inside Ukraine.
Today is Easter in Orthodox cultures. This includes my beloved Ukraine.
Though engulfed in war, Easter traditions continue.
Easter cakes are a tradition in Ukraine. These can remind us of God’s victory over death through the resurrection of Jesus that is celebrated on Easter.Traditions can be a reminder of God’s Grace even in the midst of great hardship.Easter cakes were baked Friday and Saturday and delivered to evacuation trains. Those fleeing terror were reminded of the reality of God’s ultimate victory.
In my readings this morning this Psalm stood out.
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” Psalm 146:1-3 ESV
Praise God for the resurrection that defeated death.
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