A Sad Day in British History

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, was a very sad day in the history of our nation. Disgracefully, on that day the House of Commons, by a majority of 400 to 175, passed the Second Reading of the bill to legalise same-sex marriages. This is an affront to Almighty God. But not only is it contrary to Scripture, and a rejection of our past heritage as a nation, we fear it will cause much suffering in the future for those who conscientiously stand for what is right.

To Thee, Almighty God, to Thee,
My Rock and Refuge, would I flee;
Now tides of sorrow, rolling high,
Appear to mingle earth and sky.

How, then, should we face the future? The paraphrase of Psalm 119 reads: ‘How shall the young direct their way? What light shall be their perfect guide?’ (see verse 9). And this is equally true of old people as well as young. The answer given is: ‘By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.’ Noah is the wonderful scriptural example of this – how a child of God can live in the midst of a wicked world. In an evil generation, he walked with God and kept himself unspotted from the world (see Gen. 6. 5-9).

1. We are to ‘take heed.’ Is what has taken place a rebuke? We have sinned. Is it God’s judgment for our slothfulness and carelessness? Have we been really concerned? Have we really prayed (‘This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting’ – Matt. 17:21)? That is, not just casually to ‘say a prayer’ or fatalistically to think whatever happens must be according to God’s purpose. O for a spirit of wrestling prayer!

2. We are called to ‘take heed’ that our life and conduct is ‘according to Thy Word,’ to shine as lights in the world in the midst of a ‘crooked and perverse nation’ (Phil. 2:15).

3. We are encouraged to ‘take heed’ that in Christ, and in Christ alone, is this provision for our needs. ‘Whate’er I need in Jesus dwells’ – that is, that wonderful fulness of grace, wisdom and strength.

But let us be clear. God will have the last word. The old proverb was often quoted during the last war: ‘Though the mills of God grind slowly, they grind exceedingly small.’