I began my sermon on Sunday with the question, “What is the foundation of civilization?” As I noted, great thinkers have concluded for millennia that, at least from one perspective, fidelity in marriage is the foundation of civilization, as the fallout of broken marriages and of citizens not forming marriages in the first place is truly devastating to any society.

Still, from another perspective, it can legitimately be argued that the foundation of civilization is law and order. A society cannot flourish if people live in constant fear for their safety or in fear of being cheated as they engage in commerce. As with marital fidelity, it’s about trust.

Sadly, in this broken world, it is extraordinarily difficult to achieve and to maintain law and order. It has now been more than seven months since Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in at least 40,000 deaths, if not several times as many. As the Russian forces continue to suffer highly embarrassing setbacks, having lost thousands of square miles of territory they had initially captured, the madman at the helm of this war of aggression is now threatening to employ tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Of all the nations of the world, Russia is believed to have the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, with more than 6,000. In contrast, China, Russia’s strongest ally and a major investor in Russia, is believed to possess 350 nuclear weapons, though they intend to triple that within the next few years. The recognition of the danger that Putin’s war poses to the entire world must lead us to pray for peace.

Pray for the war to come to an end without the use of nuclear weapons, and without the loss of thousands of more lives. Pray for the large number of Russian men who do not want to be forced to fight in Putin’s maniacal war. May Russians who desire to flee successfully find refuge in neighboring nations, and may those who desire to stay continue to rise up in protest against this evil. May the leaders of Ukraine, with the assistance of other nations, find ways to restore peace with Russia, even if that requires surrendering portions of the territory that Russia is unjustly claiming for itself. May diplomacy prevail over violence. May law and order be restored to Ukraine and Russia, and may the residents of these lands flourish.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan

Related prior article: "Season of Prayer"