Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I’m sitting down to begin this article and it is freezing cold outside! We got some precipitation today that froze on the windows of vehicles and sidewalks. Last week we had my kind of temperatures and now it looks like things they are changing. Yet this is the Texas panhandle!
Yet things are changing all across our world. If it’s not the price of food it’s the price of fuel. Of course, I recognize that the prices are going to go up because of all that is taking place in Europe. I can’t even imagine what the people of Ukraine are experiencing at this time.
My heart is breaking about all that is going on in Ukraine. Families are being torn apart, lives are being pushed to the edge and cities lie in destruction. I’ve been praying for all that is taking place and for people to find hope in the midst of it all.
I’m a little concerned that there may be some of my family impacted by this. Although I don’t know for sure if I have any family at this time in Ukraine, it was a beginning point for some. Let me explain.
My great grandfather, Peter Nachtigall was born in Ukraine on March 1, 1865. But I don’t know exactly where in Ukraine. I also know that he and his sister, Elisabeth, were on the Molotschna School Registers, 1873-74 in the village of Waldheim in Molotschna, Ukraine. The family came to the United States in 1878 and settled in the Newton, Kansas area in a Mennonite community.
I know that my great, great, great grandmother could not make the journey and one of her sons stayed behind with her. As I thought about this further, I wondered if I possibly have some relatives that still live in Ukraine. At this point, I am not sure but it has helped me to see the things happening in Ukraine in just a little bit different way.
One thing I do know is that I have some Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ. They are standing in the midst of this time trusting in the Lord to be with them and deliver them from this time of oppression. They continue to hold to the Lord and trust Him.
One video I saw was three people singing a song – “Rooted in Christ”. It went like this, “During times of sadness, trouble or anxiety in a sincere prayer, I turn to God. For I know My Lord is mighty to save. When I walk through the valley of darkness, I firmly believe the Lord is with me. In Him alone I find protection and peace, I believe He hears my prayers! And with reverence, during those moments Oh my Savior, I fall on my knees. I know You hear our prayers. In You alone I find joy and peace.
When my heart rejoices infinitely and blessings flow like a river, Then with sincere gratitude I give praise, For I know that Your hand is upon me. When I recall all of God’s mercies, How often He has saved us from affliction! Only the Lord’s heart can love so much. He gave us His Life for me and for you!
During those times, with songs of gratitude, I glorify You, my Jesus. You are with us in times of joy and in times of sorrow with humility I worship You, Jesus, my Savior. In times of joy, and times of despair like no one else, I can trust Only You, my dear Lord.”
Psalm 28:7 says it well --- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart triumphs, And with my song I shall thank Him.”
I don’t know what the days may hold for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, but I know Who is holding them. So, I’m going to trust in the Lord and pray God brings this to an end. Be in prayer for Ukraine at this time.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
