"4 Jesus replied, 'Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the Christ.’ They will deceive many people. 6 You will hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. 7 Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in all sorts of places. 8 But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end. 9 They will arrest you, abuse you, and they will kill you. All nations will hate you on account of my name. 10 At that time many will fall away. They will betray each other and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. 14 This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come" (Matthew 24:4-14).
Jesus' words in Matthew 24 remind us of the continued importance of endurance both in life, faith, and in our love of and for others. After all, as Verse 13 says, when there is "disobedience" to God's will and way, "the love of many will grow cold." In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier today, it's clear that "love has grown cold" in that part of the world, and there is therefore need for all of us (and those of faith there) to persevere and persist in doing God's will and way "to the end."
So, please join me in being in prayer for not only the people of Ukraine and all those "in harm's way", but also for all leaders related to this situation to listen to potential ways where this conflict can be resolved without resorting to the easy way of violence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
