The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same...

I surprised myself the other day. It was with regard to Russia invading Ukraine. I naively wondered “Haven’t we gotten beyond this?” What I meant was “Aren’t we at a point in civilization that we no longer take other peoples’ land by force?”

Like I said, naïve. It is the problem of sin in every last one of us. It’s as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote, “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either – but right through every human heart…even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains…an uprooted small corner of evil.”

Thanks be to God Who has forgiven us all our sin in Christ Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection! God bless you by His Spirit’s leading as you serve Him and remain confident in His grace in these days to come. God bless and keep the people of Ukraine.

A ready answer from G. K. C.

“It is no disgrace to Christianity, it is no disgrace to any great religion, that its counsels of perfection have not made every single person perfect. If after centuries a disparity is still found between its ideal and its followers, it only means that the religion still maintains the ideal, and the followers still need it.”

G. K Chesterton, Illustrated London News, March. 2, 1929.

A Prayer for these tense times, from Dr. Dale Meyer

Hear our prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from our petition. Nations are preparing for war. Tens of thousands are armed. The machines and technology of destruction are ready. Who can withstand the destruction that may be imminent? You, O God, who are enthroned of old above the highest of heavens, have decreed that the governments of this earth are for the protection of the people You have made, that every nation is to promote good and hinder and punish evil. Let every citizen know what You require, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Guide our leaders in ways You only know and only You can accomplish so that wars and rumors of war lessen. As we watch this present exercise of worldly will and might, amidst suspicions and fears, accomplish Your will for the physical care of all people, Your righteous people and those who do not yet honor You. We earnestly pray that our nation, all our people and our leaders, will work so that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, your Name be hallowed and we may live peaceful lives in which Your kingdom comes.

We pray for inner calm to every humble person who knows that Your kingdom is not of this world, that You have given and continue to give Your love to us for our eternal life. Your still, small voice does not come into our hearts through worldly power and might, but by the words of Your Son whose Spirit lives in our hearts. We pray Your Spirit will speak the eternal to everyone fearful of the present. To people whose lives may be taken, to those whose homes and livelihoods may be destroyed, to spouses and families of those in danger for the protection of fellow citizens, and to those of us who soldier by prayer and encouragement, set our hearts on Your love for us, on the promise we will know Your love in the coming life of heaven, experiencing Your love in greater ways than we know Your love now in this life. Amidst distress, give us assurance. In things temporal, sustain us with confidence in the eternal. You have revealed Your love so that we might have peace. “In God the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust and will not be afraid.” Amen.