Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
Lord Jesus, I went to bed last night grieved and angry. I woke up feeling the same. The image of 109 empty baby carriages in Lviv, Ukraine, arranged as a memorial to little children—casualties of this barbaric war. I desperately need Paul’s admonition about leaving vengeance to you, Jesus—words written to believers in an even more unconscionably evil Roman world. And I need your grace to heed it.
I equally need—maybe more so, this bold declaration from John: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8). Your cross was the fatal blow to Satan and evil, your return will be his full eradication. Without this certainty and hope… I don’t even want to finish my sentence.
Help me, Jesus, and others like me who are struggling emotionally and spiritually. My faith isn’t shaken, but my patience and kindness are. How long, O Lord? I also confess my anger in response to those who are either denying the war in Ukraine is actually happening (like Holocaust deniers), or are minimizing and spinning it only for political reasons. I’m glad my blood is boiling, but I make no excuse for my sinful thoughts.
What does the Gospel require of me (and others like me) in this very moment? To fix my gaze on you Jesus—to set my mind and affections on things above (Heb. 12:2; Col. 3:1-4). It’s the only way I’ll choose neighbor-love over perpetrator-hatred. It’s the only way I’ll wait, trust, pray, and hope as you command. So Very Amen.