Read Time: 4 min 22 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

WORLD

A Surprise Invasion

After months of stalemate, Ukraine turned the tables on Russia.

On August 6, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy’s forces surprised the world by invading Russia. Troops snuck through a gap in Russian defenses along the northern part of their shared border. They pushed nearly ten miles into enemy territory and captured several villages (check out this map). Since then, more than 100,000 Russian civilians have fled the invaded area. Ukraine has captured thousands of Russian troops.

Military analysts say it’s a bold move. Ukraine has to move troops and resources from the front lines at home to make progress in Russia. They have already started losing ground in Ukraine. Russia is marching towards an important city in Ukraine's east.

Meanwhile in the Middle East, negotiations for peace aren’t making much progress. Mediators have been pushing a deal to stop fighting and bring hostages home urgently. They fear that other countries like Iran are about to get more involved in the war. Reportedly, Israel is on board with the U.S.’s proposed ceasefire plan, but Hamas isn’t. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Pray for the peaceful end to all conflicts worldwide, even as we wait for God’s kingdom to come in full—for the day when God’s reign of peace will settle every dispute, and all nations will walk in his paths.

“He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.”
Micah 4:3 (CSB) (read full passage)

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
War strips its victims of everything: loved ones are killed, homes are destroyed, basic needs go unmet… 

The darkness and ugliness of war are a bleak reminder that the world is not as it should be. All of creation—from our sinful hearts to relationships between nations to natural disasters—is broken and longing for God’s restoration (Romans 8:18-25). But as we wait, Christians can have hope. 

Christians hope that God will powerfully intervene and know that even if he doesn’t bring peace now, he will be with us in the darkness and bring all evil to justice in the end: “[The LORD] heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds… The Lord helps the oppressed but brings the wicked to the ground.” - Psalm 147:3-6 (CSB)

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
It’s easy to feel helpless when we read about wars on the other side of the world. 

What we can do is pray, be peacemakers where we are, and trust that the Lord will end all war in his perfect timing. Russia’s, Ukraine’s, Israel’s, and Gaza’s actions are not under our control, but our own response to conflict is. “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” - Romans 12:18, 21 (CSB)

• Discuss a conflict in your life and come up with one small step you can take toward peace.

• Memorize Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (CSB).

• Pray for peace around the world: for aggressors to become peacemakers, negotiators to succeed, victims to be healed, and believers to be bold in love. And pray for peace in your own home and neighborhood.

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What We’re Listening To
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