Putin Plots, the Lord Laughs

Christians in Ukraine Gather for Prayer

I know several Christians now living in Ukraine. I know that there are many others—including many Reformed and Presbyterian missionaries and seminary/Bible school teachers—planting churches there. Please pray for their safety and that our Lord will turn this despicable Russian invasion into long-term good. The words of Psalm 2 come to mind—as these powerful words are being read and prayed by many Ukrainian Christians. They know that as Putin plots, the Lord laughs. They have taken up the chief Christian weapon—prayer. They know that the days ahead will be exceedingly difficult and as the beast rages against the people of God and the gospel, their hope is in the Lord to deliver his people. Let us pray for them, their safety, and for the spread of the gospel.

I also know that Putin’s invasion will have a tremendous impact across the globe. The age of the autocrat is here. If Putin is not dealt with now, many more wannabe strongmen eagerly wait in the wings. May the Ukrainian defense forces do to the Russian invaders what the Finns did to Russia in 1940! The higher the price Russia pays now (both economically and militarily), the greater deterrence to those who would seek to do the same to other innocents.

I just saw a horrific security camera video of a young man riding his bike through an unnamed Ukrainian suburb, only to be disintegrated by a nearby missile strike. Thankfully, he never knew what hit him. It made me sick to my stomach. I wondered whether his loved ones will ever find out what happened to him. Will his memory vanish along with his humanity? This horrific scene reminds me that war (for any reason) is terrible, that both innocents and combatants die, that years of work, accumulated wealth, and generational family ties are just wiped away. And for what? So that Putin can imagine himself to be the new Peter the Great who rebuilds the ancient Russian empire?

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Join me in praying the words of Psalm 2.

Psalm 2 (ESV)

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.