Who CanWant War?


We have lived without war in Europe for 77 years. Considering that it only took just over  20 years from the end of the first world war to the beginning of the second, that is quite a feat. We have learned that war is not a good solution. But have we?

 Have we forgotten about what happened in the Balkans in the nineties? That was war, wasn’t it? Wars seem to set free atrocities not only on the actual front where the fighting happens but also in human relations. We only have to mention the name of one city, Srebrenica, to prove the point. We do not want it to happen again. Never ever.

At the Munich Security Council yesterday, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland, said: “How do you react to behavior from another planet?” The Russian President’s actions and words baffle us constantly. The western world hopes for de-escalation through diplomatic talks, but at the same time amassed forces at the Ukrainian borders speak another language. It is practically a wonder that Russia has not yet found a valid pretext for invasion. Ukraine's military on Saturday said that mercenaries had arrived in separatist-held eastern Ukraine to stage provocations in collaboration with Russia's special services.

Finland has a long history living alongside Russia and Niinistö has been asked for his assessment, particularly in these tense times. Although Niinistö says that he does not have a special relationship with Putin, he may still be able to serve as an intermediary as they talk with each other regularly.

On November 30, 1939, Soviet troops invaded Finland. The so-called Winter War lasted 100 days without Finland losing its sovereignty. "Stalin thought he would split the nation, and it's easy to go and invade Finland. The total opposite happened. People united and we saw the same in Ukraine…I feel that we have in the western world the same feeling—we are being challenged but we are together," Niinistö said.[1]

The threat to Ukraine is uniting the nations of the western alliance to act together. Although talks have not yet succeeded to reduce the threat, we are united in our refusal to consider military aggression a solution. We do not want another great war. But will it be stopped by ducking to the demands of a dictator? Giving in will not stop him. But what will?

Churches are calling for people to plead with God to stop this madness. Ukrainian Christians are meeting outside, kneeling in the snow, praying for peace. God has given humans free will. We cannot blame God if war breaks out. But we can ask Him to work on the minds of people in power so that they realize what they are risking if they continue with their threats.

Pray for peace. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for sense to prevail. Pray for protection of the innocent. Pray for unity. And thank God for the power of prayer.


 

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/AdonaiMinistries2010/photos/a.722945407778214/6900831489989544/

 


[1] https://yle.fi/news/3-12326162?fbclid=IwAR0VWADXAlxedbsEvO8VYFmA0Ka7aNBTNhycAmv5-JLNXf10kpgzhmrP-e0

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