From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 438):
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138:7-8
We’ve had quite a few nights in a row with air raid warnings over most of Ukraine. There were missiles launched by strategic aviation and kamikaze drones coming at our peaceful cities and unsuspecting sleeping Ukrainians.
I sometimes wonder what’s going on in the hearts and minds of Russian soldiers who plan missile attacks, launch rockets, and operate drones. I don’t believe stories that they don’t know what their targets are. They must be at least somewhat aware. So they plan the operation, the pilots take their planes to the launch points, fire the missiles, get the approval of the command, land, and proudly go home with a sense of accomplishment. They kiss their wives and tuck their children into beds. Perhaps they share some “exciting details” from their day. Their kids must be proud of their fathers being military pilots. Will they ever know that at the exact same time, Ukrainian children are hiding in bomb shelters, covering their ears from the wailing sirens, shaking from the cold and fear? Will they ever think about those whose lives were cut short by the Russian missiles launched by their “hero fathers”? Will they ever realize what they are involved in, and will they have enough courage and humility to repent and undo the wrong?
I’ve never seen so many storks as this spring. They dance in the skies, walk in our garden, and seem unafraid of people. I wonder if we see so many of them because they had to stay away from the war zone and nest in quieter areas. In Ukrainian tradition, storks are symbols of well-being and resurrection. I choose to see them as God’s promises of hope.
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Psalm 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
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