Dr. Roger Holl

Minister’s Message

We have seen the invasion by Russia into the sovereign nation of Ukraine. As one young Ukrainian mother said, “I can’t believe this is happening in the 21st century.” Russia is using cluster bombs and vacuum bombs to kill families and the civilian population.

The Ukrainian people are giving stiff resistance to the invasion. Pastor Anton of the New Life church in Ukraine was recently interviewed by our Fellowship. Pastor Anton indicated that all men from 18-60 years of age will get one to two weeks of basic training and then fight the Russian invasion force.

The Russians are bragging of their superior weapons and capabilities. Scripturally, we know that God blesses and protects believers who are obedient to His Word. As of 2018, 87.4% of the Ukrainian population declared they believe in Christianity. From the Bible, we know that it is God who fights for us and wins battles. Isaiah said: “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed.” Christians are not weak. God goes before us and with us into life’s seemingly impossible situations. “For the Lord, your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4.

The people of Ukraine are now relying on these promises of God for daily survival. God is asking us and Ukrainians to trust in Him as they do their part.

During the interview with Pastor Anton, Psalm 20 was read. The Psalmist says the Lord will answer you on our day of trouble. God will protect you. God will support you. And God will grant your heart’s desire and fulfill your plan. The Lord saves His anointed. And then in Psalms 20:7, the Psalmist addresses the threat of superior weapons: “Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord our God.” The enemy will fall.

The entire world needs to be praying for the people of Ukraine. We need to pray for the families, the children, the women, and the men fighting in the field. Let us praise the name of the Lord and claim the promises of God for the people of Ukraine.

All issues of life are spiritual issues which have spiritual solutions. All of us have to overcome impossible odds at times. How do people overcome impossible odds? The answer is spiritual. We are to put on the Armor of God as set forth in Ephesians 6:13-17. That is to resist the day of evil and stand firm. Belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Strap on your feet the gospel of peace and use the shield of faith. Take the helmet of salvation and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. All these Godly resources are things which the Ukrainian people have. If the people use the armor of God, the Ukrainians will prevail.

Dr. Roger Holl is pastor of the Sterling Grace Community Church, which meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at the Sterling Senior Center. Call 907-862-0336 for information.