The time leading up to the Scottish Independence Referendum was one of earnest prayer on the part of those with a true concern for the cause of truth in the land. Now that the result is known we are still being called to prayer, that is, to the thankful acknowledgment of God’s mercies to us.
When we consider the fearful consequences of independence, we must acknowledge that this is a deliverance to be marked with as much thankfulness as was the defeat of the Armada, the Glorious Revolution and the defeat of the Jacobite rebellion in the past. In our backsliding generation we are frequently called to humiliation and confession of sin on account of the sins of the land. This is a rare and precious time when we may make the joy of the Lord our strength, as we give praise and thanks for His sovereign intervention in the affairs of our land.
Many prayers indeed were made against the proposals of independence. We should learn with thankfulness, not only that God hears and answers prayer, but that He will still hear and answer intercession on behalf of this rebellious nation. This has not always been so when the servants of God seek to make such earnest prayers. Jeremiah was forbidden to pray for Judah (Jeremiah 7:16), and told that his prayers would not be heard.
We ought to learn true thankfulness for preserving mercy, that we do not deserve as a nation or indeed as a family of nations. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (Psalm 107:43). It would have been altogether faithful justice on the part of the Most High to leave us to a reprobate mind, and the solemn and fearful judgment of rending ourselves, and to an atheistic constitution. He has not plucked up, pulled down and destroyed us, but given us space for repentance.
Matthew A Vogan