This week somebody wasn’t listened to and, as a result, the people whom he represents weren’t listened to either.
Instead, without Zelensky present, Trump and Putin were left to discuss the future of Ukraine alone, undisturbed by the voice of those whose future they were deciding. And so, though no deal was reached, and recognising that negotiations are set to continue, there are many who, like Zelensky himself, warned that his absence invalidated the meeting and feared that those with power sought to wield it for their own benefit rather than the benefit of others.
What a contrast to the situation that we who trust in God find ourselves – for we who are in Christ have an advocate with the Father who is interceding on our behalf with the one who is the sovereign Lord of the universe.
What a contrast to us who having received the Holy Spirit know that, in our weakness, He helps us when we don’t know what to pray.
And what a contrast to the one who hears us – our Almighty God who, because He cares for us, invites us to cast our anxieties on Him and promises to work all things together for our good and His glory.
This week, when they met in Alaska, Trump and Putin were far away from President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine. But God is near to the brokenhearted. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick. On the contrary, those who are faint and weary, those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Which is why, irrespective of their true intentions, I am glad that it is not world leaders who are in ultimate control today, but the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God, who is as infinitely loving as He is infinitely wise.
And though He will no doubt continue to sometimes act in ways I do not understand, in ways I would not choose for Him to act myself, I am nonetheless glad that He will remain sovereign for all eternity too.
Related posts:
To read ‘Luther and the War in Ukraine – on becoming a theologian of the cross’, click here
To read ‘Playing God’, click here
To read ‘Grace in a political world’, click here
To read ‘Hope Remains’, click here
To read ‘If (POTUS)‘, click here
To read ‘A Bad Day at the Oval Office’, click here
To read ‘Hope or Despair’, click here
To read ‘Contending for the truth’, click here
To read ‘In Loving Memory of the Truth’, click here
To read’Deal or no deal’, click here
To read ‘Pentecost and the war in Ukraine’, click here
To read, ‘Donald Trump, the Health, Wealth and Prosperity Gospel, and how I want to die’, click here
To read ‘Real Power’, click here
To read ‘Weeping with those who weep’, click here
To read ‘Jesus wept’, click here
Some musings 