Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 431):

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Revelation 19:1‭-‬2

If you ask me, I’d say that the most encouraging book of the Bible is Revelation. Even though it is filled with terrifying images, it carries a beautiful message – the ultimate victory belongs to the Lord. What a loving God we have that He didn’t keep us in the unknown but revealed how everything would be resolved in the end. And this hope helps us persevere during the dark days.

My son often asks when the war will be over. I don’t know how to answer his question. What’s worse, I don’t know how the war will end (even though we hope for the best and trust in God’s mercy, it’s still different from knowing the outcome). We don’t know if all the threats of more massive missile attacks or nuclear strikes will be carried out. We don’t know if or when Bakhmut may fall. We don’t know when or how Crimea will be liberated. We don’t know how long or how much it would take to restore all that’s been destroyed (visible and intangible losses).

In all this unknown, I look to the One who holds the whole world and all the answers in His hands. I know that there will come a day when He will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore (Revelation 21:4). When I am overwhelmed with the uncertainty of today, I will look for this certain future He has promised.

Please, pray for Ukraine. There have been some worrisome reports in the past few hours about the possible missile attack (which could also turn out to be a psychological operation). We know that they want more blood, yet we trust in God’s faithfulness and the skillfulness of our defenders.