We’re champing at the bit
It feels like the nation is on the brink of riots.
But violence has (mostly) been restrained.
It’s Jesus, restraining the spirit of aggression and violence which is just at the tip of society. Jesus is the restrainer, and we need Him to hold back the evil, that’s for sure!
I was at a peaceful march recently. Thousands of people meeting peacefully, marching peacefully, calling out for an end to hatred. The police on the sidelines were alert and yet relaxed. The atmosphere was intense but calm. The march was a serious matter, and yet there was no attack, no accusation, no aggression.
But there are other marches which are full of aggression and tension, full of accusation and suspicion, full of hatred toward those who disagree with their point of view.
One MP has been quoted as saying those who carry the Union Jack flag are “bad people”. That’s very unhelpful, I think. It reminds me of Hilary Clinton in 2016, who claimed those who supported Donald Trump were a “basket of deplorables”. Well, history has shown us how that was received by the masses of people who disagreed with her politics.
And what of those who carry flags of other nations, where terrorists rule? Are people who are carrying those flags bad? Or is it only bad to carry your own nation’s flag? How silly to say such a thing (if the MP did make this comment). I guess that makes me a bad person too, since I have the Union Jack draping from my house.
The reality is, the political climate in the UK is tense right now, and increasingly so. There are marches every weekend, sometimes on both a Saturday and Sunday. And sometimes there is more than one march on a day, with the same destination of Parliament Square, London.
Yes, things are tense.
And so we need to pray. I mean, really pray!
We need to be desperate. We are running out of time.
We need to pick up our Bibles, and pray prayers of peace from the Psalms, prayers of hope and restoration from Isaiah, prayers of lamination and regret. We need to repent of our own lack of prayer (I know I do!) and engage with GOD, praying scripture and following the Spirit. Word + Spirit can bring change because GOD can bring change, through His Word and through His Spirit.
Jesus is holding back the evil that is encroaching
But the nation needs to seek GOD’s mercy, grace and truth. The people of this nation, beginning with His church but extending beyond, need to ask for GOD’s mercy, repent of our own wilful and wicked ways, ask forgiveness and thank Him even before we see the evidence.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)