Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 399):

The King in his might loves justice.
You have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Psalm 99:4

I’ve had lots of conversations in the past few days. Perhaps more than in the past year! What a joy to have fellowship with your fellow believers who seek to know and do God’s will!

Most of the conversations had the same pattern — testimonies of God’s faithfulness, brief mentioning of the trauma experienced in the past year (very quick, barely enough to admit it and cautious enough not to stir it), proclamation of hope in God’s faithfulness followed by more testimonies. I noticed that most of the conversations omitted one word – Russia. We are too traumatized even to call it by name, so we would refer to them as “they” (and everyone knows who we’re talking about), “those,” “the invaders,” and so on. The wounds are still too raw, and new wounds are added daily. We are still too vulnerable. We are too hurting today to think about reconciliation, but most of us agree that it will need to take place in due time when justice is restored, and hearts are truly broken in repentance. This is such an important and sensitive matter, and we are yet to learn how to deal with it. May the Lord give us wisdom and His grace.

I will honestly admit – I am weak, and I have lost hope that Russia can change. And I don’t have enough faith to pray for it. Yet, if you feel called to pray for Russia, let’s pray for true transformation and lasting change there. Let’s pray for repentance from the wicked ways. Let’s pray for God’s light to shine brightly into every heart and highlight the lies they have been trusting. I know that God can redeem all things, so I have to believe that one day, when the pain is undone and justice is restored, we as a nation will be able to say the exact words Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20, NIV).

Tonight, I read in the news report that there has been a tendency for the Russian invaders to refuse to follow the orders of their commanders. Just last week, about 70 people from two Russian units were disarmed and sent for disciplinary measures for refusing to carry out the orders. A similar incident happened with the personnel of the enemy’s reconnaissance company operating in the Avdiivka direction. I praise God for these glimpses of hope that change is still possible.