Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 564):

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water.
Psalm 114:7‭-‬8

Last night, we were at grandma’s. We came to visit her in the village over the weekend. I was working on my laptop late into the night. I saw the alert going off in several regions of Ukraine as kamikaze drones started approaching the border. Then, the air raid warning was announced for the Kyiv region. I was thankful we were in the village as it’s a relatively safe location.

In a few minutes, I heard a kamikaze drone going over our house and an airplane following it nearby. I froze for a moment and prayed for the drone to be destroyed and for the safety of all people who could be affected. In a few minutes, several shock waves went over our house, one after another. No explosions were heard, but it felt like a gust of power went through the house. It was scary, yet I was thankful for this answer to my previous prayer.

As I reflected on this night’s experience, a few thoughts crossed my mind. First, we may be tempted to feel like we have a safe place, but there is no such thing on this side of eternity. Secondly, we may feel relieved that we are away from some big trouble, but the Lord may choose to shake us to remind us that everything is in His sovereign power. And thirdly, while some things might seem scary (like feeling the shock wave), they may be necessary to bring deliverance to many people around you.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. […] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:6‭-‬8‭, ‬12‭-‬13