Sirens sound throughout Ukraine warning the people of an upcoming attack.
Families huddle together in underground bomb shelters and cry out to the heavens.
And once you hear of the resilient faith of Ukrainian Christians amidst the violence surrounding them – you’re bound to be moved.
One can’t even imagine what the people of Ukraine are experiencing and feeling.
Their beloved cities and homes have been bombed and destroyed – leaving piles of ashes and ruin.
Families are separated – with many women and children fleeing to other countries to seek safety.
And as the unprovoked violence continues against Ukraine – countless lives continue to be slaughtered.
But instead of cursing God – Ukrainian Christians are on their knees – huddled together praying through the Psalms and seeking comfort from Jesus.
CBN News reported:
“Anatoliy Raychynets of the Ukrainian Bible Society is among those who have prayed Psalm 31, and he has spoken about the new lens through which he sees these ancient Scriptures.
“For me, as a pastor, that Psalm … well, I read it differently now because it’s about our current situation in Ukraine,” Raychynets recently said.
“This ancient prayer — written several thousand years ago — now we see is so alive, is living.”
Here is the full text of Psalm 31:
Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
6 I hate[a] those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.
19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm,[b]
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!
Praise God for these faithful Christians who are modeling what it means to turn to God – even when it hurts – even when they don’t understand why all of this is happening.
May their faith continue to be an example to future generations who will look back and remember their parents crying out to God in their darkest and most terrifying moments.
We must remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine – that they will continue to worship and gather together and lead others to Christ.
Reports from Ukraine state so many people are searching for Bibles that stores have run out!
May those who are seeking find Him – and take comfort and refuge under His protective wing.
Our hearts break for the ongoing tragedies in Ukraine – and we pray for God to bring peace and healing to all who are hurting.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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