I recently watched a podcast about the history of what led up to the conflict raging now in Ukraine. It was over two hours long and a desolate litany of wrongs committed by many nations. I then watched PBS Frontline’s documentary The Battle for Ukraine – that was about thirty minutes long but I only made it through the first 15 minutes and it was about the uprising in 2014 – one of the many back stories that contributed to where the world is now.

I quickly became sickened by the rush to hate.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19.

All of that was on display in the Podcast and the documentary and I see it played out in every country. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1. How often do we turn to God sincerely seeking His help? Do nations? That sounds so naive to so many people; we are too busy being swept up in hate and retribution, in lies and misinformation…the stuff of our lives from the beginning of mankind. When will we learn to turn to God and ask for His help – not to do what we want Him to do but sincerely seeking His intervention according to His wisdom. Would He do what our hearts want? When we read further in Psalm 46…Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Verses 8-11.

A further promise in Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Again, Psalm 33:4-5 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

What did Jesus tell us to do? Matthew 5:43-45 You have heard it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

I’m not ashamed to say I pray for President Putin. I pray for our President and for every leader of every nation that God will help them make wise decisions…that He can heal their hearts. Wars begin in the hearts of men. I can’t make war stop. I can trust the One who will. I can believe what He said because the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.

Watching documentary footage of historical events in conflict and the people affected you quickly see fear, terror…the faces of war. There’s such a hopeless feeling. Turn to the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

This final promise speaks in this time of uncertainty for so many people: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14.

I can’t stop wars or people from hating. I can trust God and look to Him always. He is my refuge and hope when it feels like hope is so thin on the ground. I can pour out my heart to Him in prayer and His peace and love fill me and I am restored to pray for every person on this beautiful planet of ours. He teaches me that…He teaches me to love and not hate and reminds me the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love.