A Biblical View of the Russia/Ukraine Conflict

I’ve hesitated to write about the caution I sense as I watch the whole world wave their blue and yellow flags in support of Ukraine from the safety of social media thousands of miles away from the conflict.

Is It Me, Or Is There More to the Story?

I experienced confusion when I watched the recent State of the Union address and witnessed American congress men and women wearing Ukrainian colors and pins—jumping to their feet in applause as our government made bold proclamations from televised, albeit safe, platforms.

I’ve heard water-cooler speak of the heroic Ukrainian president that reminds me of a we-want-a-human-king-not-God-as-our-leader biblical account found in 1Samuel, chapter 8.

While I, too, have searched through my news channels to follow the travesties of the distressed people of Ukraine, I continue to wonder if what I’m being fed isn’t sometimes propaganda at its best. And to be honest, I guiltily feel l am watching the Hunger Games, cheering from the sidelines as people destroy each other in a reality internet show.

Considering that the last two years, the main-stream source of our news has not just willingly, but passionately, heartily, vehemently shared changing and misinformation about the recent virus, I have doubts when it comes to trusting all of the information coming from the American media. Those guys will jump on a headline faster than a duck on a June bug. We forget that they are not reporting for the good of the people but the good of their dollars—these commerce outlets have ratings to reach and salaries to pay, after all.

A Nightly Check

I’ve received that check in the spirit that keeps me up at night wondering about the bigger picture of all the chaos. What am I missing here and why am I uneasy? Why am I not creating hate posts against Putin and Russia?

The Lord reminds me that I, as a wee, little human on His planet earth am not seeing the reality of the situation. The reality, He tells me, is unseen. We truly receive only a glimpse of the truth because our earthly manner of sharing information is stunted. There is a reality that is unseen.

            Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

In this passage of Scripture, I’m told that the real war is in the heavenlies and not in Central Europe. In searching through the Word to scratch my itch of unrest, I found this jewel:

            2 Corinthian 4:18 – …as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Whoa. I am told not to seek truth in the short-sighted, agenda-filled media, but in the plans of my God. Then I found this verse concerning His plans:

            Zephania 1:17 – I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.

Walking like the blind appears to be an earthly curse. There are those among us who cannot or will not discern the truth—they are blind to spiritual matters. Here’s the proof of that truth:

1 Corinthians 2:14 -The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  

Jesus affirms this reality in this Scripture:

John 9:29 – Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

The Truth of the Matter

In light of God’s Word, should it be maddening to me that untruths, false prophets, and propaganda abound in current world chaos?

No. As a believer, through the Truth found in the Word, I’ve been made aware, warned really, that the blind of the world will not discern the plans of Almighty God. But I am not as the blind. I have a discerning Holy Spirit that guides me.

John 16:13 — When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

And this brings me back to some of the Scriptures I’ve written about, made videos about, and continually point to: Matthew 24:3-8

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

God’s plans are underway, my friends. And if these times and troubles are by His design, then we, as His children, have work to do beyond the flag-waving and thundering applause surrounding our propaganda-spewing national leaders.

Isaiah 55:6-11 – Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your way, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

From these Scriptures I can confirm that what my work in all of this worldly chaos is to pray the Word and share the Word with those within my influence. Working for an international ministry which shares God’s audible Word in the languages of the world, I’ve witnessed, firsthand, the thirst for truth.

Spreading salvation hits the real but unseen enemy where it hurts.

We must pray truth. We must share truth.

If you want to do more than stand in solidarity with those fighting to keep their country, then do something dramatic—send God’s Word. Kingdom build. Find a ministry working on the inside and encourage; buoy their confidence with your support.

Last Words of Encouragement

I’ll wrap up with these encouraging Scriptures:

Isaiah 35:4 – Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, he will come to save you.

Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Yes, I pray for the people of Ukraine. I also pray for the people in Russia, China, Afghanistan, and North Korea, and even America. I pray for the great harvest. This world will not last, and it is not where my hope lies.

My hope is in Christ alone.

Love to all,

Laurie

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