War

🇺🇦 I’ve no idea what you’re like, maybe you prefer not to listen to the news and would rather go about your business as normal. I can’t seem to do that. I do listen and I get affected. The situation in Ukraine is devastating, wrong and sad. The bravery and commitment of the people there is wonderful to see, their leader a solid, unwavering example of fortitude in the face of fear. Their future is unknown against the progressing might of the Russian forces.

It’s easy to get taken up with all the detail and the straight forward facts like Russia having a greater army and military arsenal so therefore its just a matter of time before Ukraine is completely invaded. However it doesn’t take much digging into history to see that there are many examples of the ‘smaller’ and less likely nation / side winning. June 1967 the six day war … Israel vs a coalition of Arab states including Egypt, Syria and Jordan … against all odds, Israel stood firm.

An easy Bible example is Gideon (Judges 7) … an army reduced by God from over 32,000 to 300 men and then Gideon divided the 300 into 3 companies … so only 100 men in each section! This against: “The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore” (v12).

Gideon and his men prevailed … how could they do otherwise when God Almighty was with them. Against all odds humanly speaking but a guaranteed success when God is in the camp.

I like this verse: “my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart” (Psalm 73v26). 

The only thing greater than hate, evil and fear is love … but this cannot be any ordinary love, it is a greater love and force than we can humanly conjure up, it comes from God. He enables us to face our fears and overcome … against all odds, he will give the power to prevail.

In the darkest of moments we need one thing … hope. Strength can arise if hope is in our hearts. I pray that those currently experiencing conflict firsthand will not lose hope and that the God of Gideon will provide a way of peace … against all odds.

Ingrid x