Wars…Psalm 59

 Wars…Psalm 59…

Reading this psalm this am, just reminded me of one of the wars raging in the world, Ukraine…

David wrote this psalm when king Saul “sent men to his house in order to kill him.” David turns for God for deliverance…

 “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil,and save me from bloodthirsty men. 

For behold, they lie in wait for my life;fierce men stir up strife against me.

For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,     for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Awake, come to meet me, and see!     You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.

Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah 

Each evening they come back,howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 

There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” 

But you, O Lord, laugh at them;you hold all the nations in derision. O my Strength, I will watch for you,for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me;God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 

Kill them not, lest my people forget;make them totter by your power and bring them down,O Lord, our shield! 

For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,let them be trapped in their pride.

For the cursing and lies that they utter,     consume them in wrath;consume them till they are no more,that they may know that God rules over Jacobto the ends of the earth. Selah 

Each evening they come back,howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 

They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,for you, O God, are my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love.”

Ps.59.1-17

Hearing from various ones who are involved in ministry and helping the people of the Ukraine…there are many Christian organizations helping them, from food to medical supplies to counseling…Samaritans Purse was in the process of handing out 600,000 Operation Christmas Child Boxes when the war started…they turned to medical and food help…just one of the organizations that is working there…churches in neighboring countries collect food to take to shelters, to those who have been displaced because of the war… people have opened their homes….so much is going on that we don’t know about…the whole world is watching …and helping in various ways…

They, the Ukrainians, are not alone..they can pray the same words as David…as can anyone who calls on God as their fortress and refuge…strength…

Thank YOU…

Two of many articles of Christians in the Ukraine…

https://renew.org/christians-in-ukraine/

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christianity_in_Ukraine