Ukraine. Horrors of war. The unprecedented real time access to it all. It is overwhelming to us all, especially the children. While we should take care not to overexpose ourselves, especially our children, to what is going on Ukraine, we as parents need to be able to process what is going on in Ukraine in light of God’s Word and communicate that to our children in age-appropriate ways, and in ways they can face the realities of this “brave new world” with courage, grace, and hope. I would like to share how God is showing me how we can process all this from God’s Word. Providentially, the passages from the book of Psalms that we are reading in the daily faculty prayer meeting since the beginning of the unfolding of this war, have provided for me a way to process this overwhelming turn of events.
Ps. 56:1, 11 – “ Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me” “ In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Persecution leads us to fear God, and not man. It sharpens the focus of our heart on God.
Ps. 58:11 – “ Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” In a world where God’s standards are trampled upon, those who fear God and live according to his Word will be rewarded, and those who do not judged. Faith and actions that follow faith are surely rewarded by God.
Ps. 59:12-13 – “ For the sin of their mouths… let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, consume them in wrath… that they know that God rules over Jacob…” Sin, especially lies, is self-destructive.
Ps. 60:1, 4 – “ O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us…You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow.” Like the bronze serpent and Moses, sometimes God brings down catastrophe to all of us, and set up a plan to save those who will look to God.
Ps. 61:2-3 – “ Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge…” No one is more dangerous than the one that trusts in himself; no one is more secure than the one who trusts in God.
Ps. 62:1-2 – “ For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” God is not simply a problem solver that we call upon. He wants a relationship. Sometimes we need to wait in silence, until my hope is completely on Him.
Ps. 64:5-6 – “ They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.” Evil actions have deep roots in a man’s heart. Without God’s mercy and grace, evil will proliferate. Evil needs to be addressed in a child, so that it will not take deep root.
Ps. 67:1,4 – “ May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us…Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.” God is surely in control. God will surely bring justice. God will surely make his face to shine upon those who look to Him.
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