Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Dear Ukrainians,

As a Ukrainian, I would like to address you with the words written in the Bible, the Word of God: “Peace to Ukraine, peace to your hearts, peace to our nation, and Peace from God”.

Today each of us is going through difficult times…. Each of us has personal emotional stress, personal dramas, and grieving for our defenders, families who are in great needs and loss, for the captured and wounded soldiers. We experience great pain, we pray a devout prayer and have a sincere hope… Together we are trying to ease the life of every family, every soul, and those who are united in the desire to make Ukraine free.

I would like to look at the current events through the Word of God. It calls us to love each other…

However, what happened came from the devil, the enemy of humans’ souls. It was the devil who provoked the people of Russia, and its empire to begin invasion with a great lie, evil, and hatred. In the past, the devil showed the same hatred and evil when he was among the nations that shed innocent blood.

And today Russian troops came to our territory with the same demonic hatred. They think that they will reach the target. However, when we look back and analyze the life of great empires, we understand that their golden age was only because of great barbarity. But sooner or later the day of the empire’s fall came.

Russian will face the same destiny. The day will come, and its nation will fall and never stand up because the wrath of God and His fury are on them for doing evil in Ukraine and around the world.

I am with those brothers and sisters who live in Russia and, especially, brother Sibko Yuri Volodymyrovych and the churches who stood up and proclaimed that they don’t have anything in common with the empire which shed innocent blood. I am with a certain group of Christians who pray without ceasing and stand for biblical truth, love, and God’s salvation.

However, currently, the Ukrainians are in great disaster/trouble both those who live in the areas of the combat zone and those who shed blood in the military actions.

And I would like to say that God’s great mercy is with us. His help to Ukraine is seen in everything.

There was no such event, such war in the history of mankind where God united over 50 countries to stand against an evil enemy, who was planning to destroy Israel's nation in the past. Today it is putin, a viper, who wants to wipe out the Ukrainians, innocent people who don’t deserve to suffer, and destroy all cities and towns in Ukraine.

We understand that God allowed this war to happen. However, in His timing, God will eliminate this empire forever.

I am addressing the brothers and sisters of Ukraine.

Look what God has been doing in Ukraine all these years. He keeps blessing it with His Word. During thirty years of independence, God has blessed Ukraine in many ways. Many churches were started. Many people came to know Christ and received salvation. They listened to the Word of God, and meditated on His commandments. God taught us how to spread His Word among other nations. We held many missionary conferences, we looked for funds to send brothers and sisters on mission trips to various places in the world. And God blessed us and people went to share and preach His Word…

But look what He is doing today: He opened doors for Ukrainians all over the world. They found temporary refugee status in almost 50 countries. God provided them with food, homes, and job.

We see God’s providence in His Grace to all Ukrainians who got scattered throughout the globe. They can teach the Word of God, and start new home Bible study groups and new churches to spread His Word in these countries. Lord’s name will be glorified through their missions and new souls will be saved. Heavens will rejoice and the Kingdom of God will grow in numbers.

Let’s turn to the Bible and read from Psalms. Psalm 66: 2-3 (Ukrainian version)/ Psalm 67:2-3 (English version).

It is said: 2 May God be gracious to us* and bless us; may his face shine upon us. 3 So shall your way be known upon the earth, your victory among all the nations.

It was David’s prayer; it was Israel's prayer. The people wanted to walk in the shine of His face to add more saved souls to God’s Kingdom so that His name was known among all the nations.

So, let’s pray this prayer with the same words and praise. Let’s glorify God’s name for the salvation of Israel. Today Israel is one of the countries that provide its assistance and support to us. We are grateful for this.

Today there is a thought in my mind - we can motivate Christians, brothers, and sisters in Israel to start home Bible study groups and new churches. Many people from Ukraine and Russia departed for this country. We need to pray and see God’s hand, God’s Kingdom, and the Lord’s Day coming…

We need just simply trust our God and praise His name because of God’s mercy and grace.

May our hearts and prayers will be lifted to Heavens and united with the prayers of those brothers and sisters in the world along with Israel who pray for us today.

Great be God’s grace.

Amen.