Biblical Thoughts About the War And Violence In Ukraine
Luke 21:9 says, “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
Mark 13:7-8, “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
How will we survive the beginnings of sorrows?
Prayer is the first and most important weapon of defeating unrighteous regimes and their ruling demonic counterparts that willfully stand in the way of righteousness and want to kill, steal, or destroy. The defeat of earthly enemies comes after the collapse of the evil enemies of heaven. “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Here is a promise for all people for all time as we fight against wickedness! 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The Holy Spirit has spoken to us as a congregation that we need to enlarge our commitment, passion, desire, and hunger towards Him, and we communicate with Him, thus our emphasis on prayer.
We are engaging evil as we restart our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting on Saturday, March 26, 2022, as we fight a spiritual battle!
God is looking for a place where He can release His resources through people. God’s original intent was that we all function as His priests (priesthood of believers). The church today is to perform much like the priests as a nation of Israel did in the Old Testament, and we have a new way because of the cross of Jesus. At Abundant Life Foursquare Church, we are responsible for carrying out the ministry of reconciliation, proclamation, prayer, and serving.
Exodus 19:3-6 says, “And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying; thus, you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
1 Peter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
Worship is our front and rear guard when going into battle. Worship is vital to the defeat of the enemies of God and for peace for your soul. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 (read and review) relates a story of a time when there was a real possibility that Israel (Southern tribe Judah) would face destruction. Jehoshaphat feared the multitude that had gathered against them. It appeared that the enemy marching on them would surely destroy them. This is the story of what faces Ukraine today. A great multitude is coming against you. In other words, your days are over, and there will be no tomorrow; it is over! The answer seems to be more weapons, better tech, more manpower. This is partly true from a military strategic point of view.
We are at war. It may be a financial battle with inflation and lay-offs; there’s only enough money for three weeks, then what? The enemy is marching against our marriage, and we are fighting all the time. Cancer seems to be winning the battle. The enemy marches against us in our life circumstances and events. The leader of Israel in 2 Chronicles 20 is Jehoshaphat. He is in a battle situation we all have been in, are, or will be in. What happens here models for us what to do. What makes the difference is what we do. Here is what Jehoshaphat did: FIRST, he sought the Lord (prayer), and SECOND, he fasted.
Fasting is a spiritual activity (demonic powers are broken by fasting), and Jehoshaphat recognized that the real problem wasn’t the human forces coming at them. Still, the spiritual forces behind the troops that were attacking. He took a spiritual approach to a spiritual problem. Nothing comes upon us that God is not able to change. He, after all, is the Almighty God. The Lord will win the battle for us. And the war will be won through prayer and worship.
Worship is vital for peace for your soul. Psalm 27:1-6 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me, at his sacred tent, I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”
The Kingdom of God must advance within your soul as much as it needs to advance upon planet Earth. Nothing advances in the Kingdom without worship and prayer. Nothing defeats the powers of darkness and evil like prayer and worship. Believe in the ability to worship, pray, and accomplish the purposes in your life, home, and nation.
Finally, it is important to walk together as a spiritual army of God’s gathered community. Peter 4:7-11, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Once we have received Jesus as Savior, we are immediately part of the larger body of Christ that ought to lead into a commitment with local (church) bodies of believers. This commitment directs us towards growth, fulfillment, and spiritual advancement. Community is one of the ways we build a support system and survive the tough times.
Psalm 91:1-4, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Micah 4:3, “The Lord will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end.”
Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.”
Fighting Together,
Pastor Steve