In the verses for today, the prophet accuses the people of being deaf and blind to what they should be paying attention to. I read that and thought immediately of the situation in Ukraine. To me, the news is sounding a lot like Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939. I am wondering what world leaders are thinking. Have they learned from history, or are they deaf and blind to the lessons they should have grasped?
This Wednesday, Russian troops made a direct strike on a Ukrainian maternity hospital. How can horrors like this be stopped without creating a worse scenario? Turning a blind eye and a deaf ear is not a solution. Escalating violence is not a solution. What does history show us? What is the Jesus way to a resolution? Are sanctions that third option? The sanctions didn’t help the babies and mothers and staff in that maternity hospital on Wednesday.
When Wiltschek prepared the devotional entry for today, he could not have known what the news headlines would be for his readers this March. Isn’t it amazing how so many Bible passages make connections with us no matter where we find ourselves!
I’m not sure if my news-heavy heart is focused on where I should be paying attention, or if the headlines are distracting me from the spiritual things that I should be observing. Either way, I can benefit from following Wiltschek’s suggestion to “Find a quiet space. . . . just pray in silence. Listen and watch for . . . God . . . .”
Ellen, I so appreciate your comments. It's so true how often words from the Bible make connections with us as to what we're facing today. Meeting violence with more violence doesn't solve anything in the long run, but what is the third way here? Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and to the people of Russia who are being told lies. Please, God, show us your will in all of this.