Look Up

My heart is breaking for the Ukrainian people. The current situation is so reminiscent of Hitler’s march east and west, that quickly took over the rest of Europe and beyond, as the world helplessly watched. The Ukrainian army and citizens are bravely fighting to keep their freedom. European nations are contributing arms and sometimes even troops to support Ukrainian defense efforts. Moves are being made to cut off Russian financial institutions and even Putin’s personal assets. But it is a monumental task to take on the Russian army. I fear it all won’t be enough. The situation is horrific.

But as sickened as we all are by this unprovoked conflict, we would do well to remember what we know to be true about God from His Word. We’ve been working through the book of Daniel at New Hope Chapel. I recently spoke on Daniel 2, where we read: Daniel 2:21: “It is [God] who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings…”

And again, in Daniel 4, where not once, not twice, but three times we read, “The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men.”

The world is not spinning out of control. God is moving leaders and territories like chess pieces.

There is A Plan. God is working to bring the world to the climactic moment when Jesus returns to set up his rule on earth.

He aims everything to bring about that glorious day. His will is going to triumph in the end. So even as Putin threatens that the world’s interference will bring on consequences that “history has never seen” and reminds us of Russia’s great nuclear power, we can know that he is merely a pawn in God’s hand.

Jesus talked about when He would return. “There will be signs…men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25-28 NASB).

Is this week the beginning of the end? Are we doomed to enter World War 3 in a conflict with Russia? At this point, there’s no way to tell. But whether we are or we aren’t, what Jesus said is advisable. When things look grim, we are to straighten our bowed necks and lift our eyes to heaven.

How do we do deal with such fear and uncertainty? By throwing ourselves on the One who is in control. Determining to trust in his goodness and power. Making the decision to not look around us or down at our feet—that’s not where the answers lie.

Our hope is from beyond what we can see.

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NASB).

Pray for the situation in Ukraine. Pray that leaders would do the right things. Pray for those suffering and afraid. Pray that the powerless would call on the name of the Lord and be saved. That God’s will shall be done. And trust in the One who has the whole world in his hands and loves it perfectly.

The End is already written. The good guy wins. You can bet on it.