Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of February 27, 2022

Weekly reading: John 6-10; Psalm 94-95
Passages referenced: PSALM 46:1,10,11; JOHN 6:5-7

As we began to say our goodbyes after an evening of Growth Group at our house on Wednesday night, I glanced at my phone and saw a screen full of messages and notifications that would later take me to my knees multiple times. After cleaning up, taking dogs out, and helping get kids to bed, I sat down on the couch to read through the passages of scripture I had been asked to write this devotional about for the next week.

Remembering the messages on my phone, I paused to check them quickly since I was the after-hours Pastor on Call for the week and wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Only to read the startling notification that caused me to sink further into the couch and set my Bible aside until later:

Russia Invades Ukraine as Explosions Heard in Kyiv and Other Cities

Gathering my thoughts and immediate concerns, I grabbed the remote, turned on the television, and began flipping between news outlets to confirm the notification. Watching the bombs illuminating the early morning sky in the Ukrainian background behind flak jacket-clad reporters, I quickly sent a late-night message to my mom and dad, “Sorry for the late message. Any updates from Uncle Perry lately?” A few moments later, my mom responded, “I sent him an email earlier today, but nothing back yet. Why?” “Check the news! Russia has invaded Ukraine. Be prepared to send prayer requests out tomorrow. Let’s talk more in the morning. Hopefully, we hear something soon,” I fired back.

Not only had my uncle and aunt recently recovered from a lengthy battle with COVID-19, but they were about to flee their friends, church, and community because of an entirely different battle.

Remembering that his preferred mode of communication was often a note on Facebook Messenger when he needed some graphic design assistance or some other tech-related question, I sent over a brief message: “Hello, Uncle Perry. I wanted to check in on you, Aunt Galia, and the girls. We love you and praying for all of you. Lifting up this whole situation in Ukraine. Please keep us posted if you can.”

As midnight came and went, and my eyes got as heavy as my heart, I did the only thing I could do at that time… fall asleep praying.

The next morning, still half asleep, I was cautiously delighted to see a message from my uncle that came through just before dawn. The message read, “Hello, nephew. We love you too! Thank you so much for praying. Please keep it up! We were awoken by the bombing at 5 am. We loaded our travel bags and supplies up in the car and are traveling west to Lviv, towards Poland. Trying to find safe back roads with less traffic. Pray for traveling mercies – may God be our refuge and strength!”

I forwarded the message to the rest of our family, sent prayer requests to the staff, and asked Jeff and Jamy to add my family to the prayer request letter. Being a church planter and missionary pastor in Ukraine for nearly the last 25 years, if my aunt and uncle were fleeing, then we knew it must not be good.

Still tired from the late night before, I was a bit confused, scared, and extremely anxious – waiting to hear more from my uncle. I felt like a good distraction was in order; thus, my quiet time would include getting back to the passages of scripture I was supposed to read the night before.

Now, before I continue, I have to ask, do you ever find yourself amazed at how God works in even the situations and circumstances that seem entirely unrelated? Almost like He’s glancing at you to share a subtle wink, as if to say, “Be still. Talk to me. I’m still in control.”

That’s what happened to me in that moment. I opened the email that included what I was to read, with some instructions on writing the devotional and sending it off. I went to the passages in the Bible and began reading. Starting in John, I read about Jesus feeding the five thousand. And I felt the Spirit pointing me to a certain part of the text:

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” (John 6:5-7)

Even though this wasn’t Jesus’ first miracle, Philip immediately was counting the cost in human terms. God in the flesh was standing before him, and he was limiting what was possible.

Can you blame Philip? It’s easy for us to comment 2000 thousand years later with the rest of the story in front of us. But how do we act when we only have as much of the story as Philip had? When we’re in a challenging situation, do we trust God or begin to reason what’s possible in human terms? As a logical thinker, I lean towards certainty and facts regularly. I probably use my skepticism as a defense mechanism because I don’t want to be disappointed or hurt. But God’s promises, love, and concern for us – even in His timing – should cause us to trust.

Then later, my reading took me to Psalm 46. Which proved to be another wink from God as I couldn’t help but think, “Are you kidding me? What are the chances? Of all weeks, with what was going on in the world and with my family, these are the verses I read?”

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble… Be still, and know that I am God!… The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1, 10a, 11)

Did you catch that? God is our refuge and strength. Exactly what my uncle had asked us to pray for as refugees now fleeing their homes. I later learned in my research that many scholars believe this piece of scripture was written when the Assyrian army invaded the land and surrounded Jerusalem. In the midst of turmoil and destruction, God provides strength. Even when physical refuge crumbles, He will always be our eternal refuge. Regardless of circumstances, may we be able to be still, rest in Him, trust in His sovereignty, and wink back at our loving God. Please continue to pray for peace and all involved in the war and suffering between Ukraine and Russia. – Greg Demopoulos

• Check out The Bible Project’s overview of John 1-12. It is an excellent source for background information and context that walks through the book’s sections and themes. It can be really helpful for those who appreciate some visuals while learning.

• Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.