Be magnified

“Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord! Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt. Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, “Aha, aha!” Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭70:1-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Be magnified

I am sitting in my peaceful living room, looking out to the dawning light, with no fear of rockets, no fear of bombs, or tanks rolling down my street. At this moment, in this time, I have a life that is somewhat predictable. While I do not know the outcome of my day, I know that there is a likelihood that the status quo will be the rule.

Not so in parts of Ukraine this morning.

I try and consider what my morning would be like if it started with the thunder of rockets and cruise missiles booming nearby. My stress would be compounded by the build up of tensions over many weeks, as the clouds of war materialized.

In these dark times facing our world, I rejoice in the word of God. David was facing struggles, and was calling out to God. As I read Psalm seventy, I could hear HIs desperation. It was not the first time he had called out to the Lord. This Psalm is a copy of verses 13-17 in Psalm 40.

I love the beginning of Psalm 40, as it has been one of my go to passages in time of trouble.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.”
Psalms 40:1-3 NKJV

Though I know the Lord is always near, there are times when I feel as though He is unaware, and I, like David, cry out anew. I am sure there is much crying out in the morning around Ukraine, as lives have been interrupted.

Brothers and sisters, let us pray for the people of that country. Many of us might be sitting and thinking, “how is this event any of my business?” We do not live in a world that is disconnected, but one where people from every tribe and nation are spread throughout the world. On top of that, we are all humans, and what is being done to them, could happen to us.

Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters. Pray that they have powerful witness in the face of the literal firestorms that threaten to engulf them. Pray for followers of Jesus in this country, that we be bold when the firestorms come for us.

Pray for the children, who did not ask for any of this. They are the innocents, closest to God’s heart. May the powers that be, heed the warnings of the Lord Jesus.

“and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!”
Matthew 18:3-7 NKJV

War causes great trauma to the soul, and those who receive it, can be caused to sin. As the old adage goes, “hurt people, hurt people.”

Pray for President Putin. Pray that the light of Christ pierces his dark soul, that he turn from this madness that could mutate into World War Three.

Pray also, that we be bold witnesses. I sense that this is all part of God’s unfolding plan for the end of the age. May we go and tell others of the Gospel.

Нехай Бог благословить вас (may the Lord bless you in Ukrainian)
да благословит тебя Бог in Russian

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm