No Strange Thing
What is happening in Ukraine is shocking and the ordeal our brethren are going through now is heart-breaking. But it is not unusual. Peter would remind them with these words, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Pe. 4:12).
Physical hardships, wars, and persecutions among God’s people is nothing new. Christians have had to endure these things ever since Steven was stoned (Ac. 7:58), James “was put to death with a sword” (Ac. 12:2), and Christians were burned alive in Nero’s garden. Paul reminds us that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tm. 3:12).
Our Ukraine brethren are remaining strong. Across their war-torn land many met to worship this past Lord’s Day. It makes me wonder how we in America would react if put under the same circumstances. If bombs were falling around my city, would I be willing to make it to the church building this Sunday? Peter wrote, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Pe. 4:16). Our Ukrainian brethren are making us all proud and certainly Glorifying God by their faithfulness. Let us be steadfast in our prayers and support for them, as they inspire us to greater faith.
-Dennis Doughty