While the UK’s exit from the European Union continues to be met by many different opinions, Ben Kay offers his views on the way forward and shares how Christians are gathering in London this month to pray.
Have you ever been on a journey and heard a cry from the back seat of the car asking, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ You might only be five minutes into a five-hour journey so there is a strong likelihood that the same question will be asked over and over again! Well it’s been over two years since the decisive vote took place in the UK to leave the European Union but the same question is being asked over and over, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’
Sometimes it seems as though Brexit will never happen amongst all the deliberations about whether there should be a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ Brexit. More recently there has been a campaign for a so-called ‘People’s vote’ that could lead to a complete U-turn before the 2016 result is implemented. If only we could know in advance the full impact of Brexit and whether it will ultimately be beneficial not only to the UK but also to the wider world.
Perhaps it is worth considering these words from 1 Corinthians 10:11 – “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
These words were written to encourage readers to learn lessons from Israel’s history particularly concerning the journey that was undertaken by Moses and the people of Israel from the place of captivity in Egypt en route to the Promised Land. But are there any lessons we can learn from Biblical history that might apply to the Brexit journey?
Some might say that the analogy of a grumbling people being set free from domineering unaccountable governance leading to a more prosperous place of freedom is quite apt but let’s instead consider three questions and explore possible answers from Genesis Chapters 11 and 12:
1) Are man-made secular building projects pleasing to God?
The story of the Tower of Babel tells how God was displeased with mankind’s endeavours to make a name for themselves in a way that was secular i.e. without Him. The European Union has clearly demonstrated that it is a building project along the same lines as the Tower of Babel not only in ensuring that God is not mentioned in its founding principles but by also constructing their parliament building to resemble Brueghel’s famous painting of the Tower of Babel.
Just as the people of Israel often clamoured to return to the perceived security of life in Egypt, let’s learn the lessons of history about how God views such building projects before taking a misguided U-turn.
2) Is it best to go the whole way on a journey or settle at the half-way stage?
Later in Genesis 11 we read about Abraham’s father, Terah, who set off from Ur towards Canaan. However, we are told that for whatever reason he stopped half-way at Harran. Terah settled for the ‘half-way’ place.
Much has been spoken about a so-called ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ Brexit but upon further analysis it could be said that a ‘soft’ Brexit is one that stops half-way of a total disentanglement from the European Union’s dictates. Perhaps a better way to describe a ‘hard’ Brexit is a ‘clear’ Brexit that goes the whole way to implementing the result of the initial referendum in 2016.
3) Do you need to know the final destination before setting off on a journey?
In Genesis 12 we read how the Lord told Abraham to ‘GO’. In the book of Hebrews there is a single verse that very ably sums up Abraham’s bold and courageous response.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
It would be wonderful to know in advance exactly where this Brexit process is leading but there are times in life, as Abraham discovered, that we are called to step out in faith without knowing all the details of the final destination. Therefore it becomes crucial to know that God is leading you to step out in the first place and that the direction is a positive one.
As previously explored in The Brexit Button there is clear evidence that Brexit is not only a good thing but also a ‘God-thing’. Similar to the events of Genesis 11 and 12, Brexit could be thought of as a journey away from a modern-day Tower of Babel towards a new place of freedom. We’re not quite sure about all the final details yet but stopping half-way is not an option. Therefore many intercessors are continuing to pray for God’s Kingdom to come and God’s will to be done through the Brexit process.
Christians to gather to pray for the Brexit Process
David Hathaway is a faith-fuelled man who has worked tirelessly for nearly 70 years towards his God-given vision of seeing Europe saved. As the UK faces its current challenges, he is particularly encouraging people to bring this nation before God in prayer once again.
On Saturday 8th September 2018 there will be a large gathering of 2,000+ intercessors at Central Hall Westminster, in the centre of London (alongside many intercessory groups across the country) meeting to pray for the Brexit process, for unity and for the Church. (Tickets for the London gathering are still available via David Hathaway’s Eurovision.org website.)
Whichever view we may hold about the Brexit process, hopefully we can all agree to pray for God’s plans and purposes to come to fruition. When a nation humbles itself under God’s Almighty hand, amazing things can happen. Let’s pray that just as God has been merciful with Israel, He might be merciful once again towards the United Kingdom. As it says in Isaiah 55 v 5-7 (Message Version):
“And now I’m doing it to you: You’ll summon nations you’ve never heard of, and nations who’ve never heard of you will come running to you because of Me, your God, because The Holy One of Israel has honoured you.”
Seek God while He’s here to be found, pray to Him while He’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.
This article expresses the writer’s opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of GOD TV. Please share your views on Brexit in the comments section below.
