I’m sure when you woke up today and saw that Russia had decided to invade Ukraine, emotions of fear, rage, and sadness filled your mind. Or perhaps you tend to ignore the bad and choose not to engage in thinking about conflict at all because ignoring it makes it easier to live. Or perhaps you are someone who feels a need to do something to help the Ukrainian people and you sit in disgust as you realize there isn’t much you can do.

But brothers and sisters let me assure you- God is fully aware of what is happening.

I have to admit, I let my emotions get to me this morning.

What if this is the beginning of World War 3? I have a baby and one on the way. How does the affect them?

My mind wandered and satan had a field day with my head.

Then I opened The Word. I am in Joshua right now and John. Joshua gave his farewell speech to Israel, and in John, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples and future believers.

So what did I learn?

In Joshua, Joshua charges the Israelite nation to be strong and obey God, reminding them of their covenant with God. He warns them of intermarriage with idol nations and turning towards other gods. He talks about how God has given their enemies to them, but also how that could change if their hearts turned from the Lord. Joshua essentially reminded them that they are to be holy. A holy nation.

In John, Jesus prayed for protection for his disciples against the evil one. Now I found this odd because all the disciples, excluding John, died for their faith. But he did not pray they would have no trouble, He prayed for their souls. He prayed for protection against satan and his schemes. Ultimately Jesus knew the end from the beginning, and he knew that God would be glorified. He focused on their need for holiness.

So I was reminded of some important truths and wanted to share those with you today:

1) Be holy. Examine your own life and your own battleground and rid yourself of sin that does not belong. Pray for the US and the sins we have allowed into our own country, and that we would rid ourselves of those, and experience revival.

2) Be aware. Jesus prayed for the disciples to be protected against satan’s schemes. Be aware of spiritual warfare and the effects satanic forces are having on your mind, body and soul. Pray against these influences and walk daily with God to equip yourself when attacks come. In the same way, recognize that this war is not only a war between Ukraine and Russia but there is a bigger picture behind earthly conflict.

3) Be diligent. Pray. satan wants you to believe there is nothing you can do but our weapons are those of God- pray. Get on your knees and pray for your brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Russia. Pray for world leaders. Pray for our soldiers and generals. Pray.

4) Be prepared. If you are a Christian, be prepared to share the Gospel and incorporate Jesus into conversation. In times of war, people can be more open to words of hope. There is no greater hope than Jesus.

1 Peter 3:15 

5) Be educated and balance yourself. There is nothing wrong with staying informed but know your sources and know that if you need to turn the news off for a minute that’s okay. As Christians we need to be aware of what is happening around us, but we also need to stay mentally healthy. Stay informed but know your limit.

In all things, give thanks. Praise God for what we do have and that we have been chosen to live in the US. We are so blessed as Americans.

Friend, Jesus is fully aware of war, famine, disease and illness. He also gives humans free will, which is usually the root cause of conflict and pain. Humans are not perfect, and our decisions affect one another.

During this time, let us remember the hope we have in Jesus and to be holy.