I had a dream recently in which a friend and I were watching a powerful storm. We both had tears in our eyes as the storm approach. Just as ship’s captains and airplane pilots need to make course corrections when they encounter storms, so all of us need to make lifestyle adjustments when spiritual storms impact our lives.
The Lord does not show us things to frighten us. He gives us warnings so we can prepare ourselves. Rain is usually a blessing from God. It may spoil a picnic, but it brings water, which is essential for life. Jesus said the rain falls on the just and the unjust. This means that God doesn’t just provide blessings for those who are righteous. God provides for all people because he loves all people.
Jesus also said that a person who puts His words into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation. When storms come, the wise man’s house can stand because it is built to handle the stress of a storm. The man who builds his house on sand is foolish. The foundation of his house cannot stand the stress of the storm, so it washes away.
In this analogy, both the wise and the foolish man have to go through storms. Some Christians think that if you follow Jesus, you will never have to go through major storms in life. I was naïve as a young believer. I didn’t have health insurance, life insurance, or savings because I thought God would protect me from major problems as long as I loved and followed Jesus.
After I almost died from a brain hemorrhage when I was twenty-nine years old, my thinking began to change. After our son Matthew drowned when he was sixteen, my theology changed forever. I realized that you can love the Lord with all your heart and still go through major storms that can break your heart.
The nation of Ukraine is going through a major storm right now. Their citizens and leaders need our prayers for wisdom and grace. Our president and leaders need our prayers as well. Vladimir Putin has declared his desires clearly. He believes it was a big mistake for Russia to give up control of the USSR and the nations they dominated. He wants Russia to regain the status it had prior to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
The sanctions the US and the EU are putting on Russia will cause both sides economic pain. Many prices will increase at a time when inflation is already at its highest in the US since the 1980s. The Russians will be tempted to take more territory from their neighbors both to fulfill Putin’s desires and to prop up their economy by confiscating the wealth of those nations.
When WWII ended, Russia helped itself recover from the devastation by pillaging factories and resources from eastern European nations that fell behind their iron curtain. Many Russian cities had been destroyed and over 20,000,000 of their people had died at the hands of the Germans, so they felt justified in exacting revenge.
Nationalism is a powerful force. We like to say that America is the greatest country on earth, but every nation cheers for their own countrymen in Olympic and international competitions, just like we do. Russian nationalism is a powerful force. So is Chinese nationalism. China lost millions of people to the Japanese before and during WWII. Like Russia, China has a plan to dominate its neighbors in the years to come.
In 2020, China took complete control over Hong Kong in spite of a treaty they signed with Great Britain in 1997 that guaranteed Hong Kong’s autonomous status until 2047. China has also made clear its intentions to reclaim Taiwan, which has been an independent nation since 1912.
China may have to fight to conquer Taiwan and it will undoubtedly be sanctioned by the international community if it does. However, the value of the many advanced tech and manufacturing companies in Taiwan make it a prized possession. Taiwan is the headquarters of TSMC, the world’s most advanced micro chip maker. TSMC chips are currently two generations more advanced than Intel chips. They are vital for rockets, satellites, and advanced weapons.
The United States had a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity until 2020. COVID was a big trial and test for our nation and world. We did not get a great grade on that test. It exposed our weaknesses and revealed our strengths. You can say we put a lot of money on our national credit card to minimize the financial disruption of the pandemic. Now the bills are starting to come due and inflation is a sign we are paying a big price.
We have had “bubbles” in the housing and stock markets that made many people feel well off. The air is starting to leak out of those bubbles. There are no simple economic solutions for a nation with a national debt of over $30,000,000,000,000. Ultimately, our country will have to slow our deficit spending and work hard to pay our bills. This reset may cause pain for many people.
When it comes to the ambitions of Russia and China, there are no simple political or military solutions either. It will be expensive and take courage for western nations to resist their imperialist ambitions. However, the Lord does not want believers to live in fear. Jesus said in the last days… You will hear of wars and rumors of war but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matthew 24:6).
There may be no simple solutions for the geopolitical and economic storms we see approaching. However, the scriptures say, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him” (Psalm 97:2). The Lord said he would dwell in a dark cloud (I Kings 8:12). When we see dark clouds approaching, we should look closely because the Lord may be in their midst.
As you watch these events unfold, pray with an intensity that matches the anxiety you feel. I’m praying. I’m also comforted by this prophecy which has been unfolding over the last two thousand years: The God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever (Daniel 4:44).
* * * * *
I’m inspired by those who have the courage to put their lives on the line to resist tyrants. I’m even more impressed by those who give their lives to promote the Kingdom of God, even at a great cost to themselves.
Billy Miller is a young evangelist who grew up in Living Streams. For several years he has been doing ministry and raising his family in Romania. For the last couple of years, Billy has worked with a team of Romanians who have been aiding Ukrainians impacted by the violence in their country.
I have attached Billy’s recent update below because I know some of you will be interested in joining me and others in prayer and support for his ministry. It is beautiful when the Lord gives believers bold faith and puts them in place for such a time as this. Billy can be reached directly at Billy Miller billymiller7983@gmail.com or through his website below.
"Dear friends and family,
"As you know, things are getting pretty out of hand in Ukraine and Romania is right next door. In the past our ministry has helped the war zone in Ukraine to help people with food supplies, shoes for children for the harsh winters and fire wood. Just recently the Russians have bombed Kiev and many innocent people have died. All of the banks are closed, finances are shut down and people don't know what to do. They are out of food and out of gas. All of the men who are under the age of 50 will have to be forced to go to war and we have recently talked to some pastors from there and they said the things are out of control.
"Oana and I were praying and we felt from the Lord to help out the people of Ukraine. Next week I will be going to the border of Ukraine with some missionaries that I know to help mothers and children who fled from Ukraine. We will buy food supplies and clothes for these people and encourage them with the Word of God.
We would kindly ask you for your prayers and support for these people. If the Lord puts it on your heart we would greatly appreciate your financial help to help these families. If you feel led please feel free to donate through PayPal on our ministry website at www.assuredhopeministries.com."