2 Samuel 19:9-10 – A Question to Christians
This nation once formally recognised Jesus Christ as king. In the National Covenant of 1638 and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643, Scotland, not just as churches, but as a nation, recognised Jesus as king. But these covenants, once signed by Charles II, were publicly burnt by him. So the question comes to our nation: ‘Why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?’ Following Absalom had gone disastrously for the people of Israel. He hadn’t been able to deliver what he had promised. Just as our culture’s promise turns out to be empty. Like Scotland today, the people of Israel were at a crossroads. The most obvious thing in the world was to bring back the true King. But would they do it?!
But it’s not just the nation of Scotland that this question comes to. It’s also the Christians of Scotland. The Christian church in particular has the responsibility to be saying at this moment that what we need as a nation is to return to Jesus Christ. Could it be that God is asking a question of the Christian church in Scotland at the moment? And could it be that that question is: ‘Why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?’
If you’ve ever wondered why the RP Church exists as a denomination, why we stayed out of the Church of Scotland all those years ago, this is effectively the issue. After the time of persecution came to an end, a time during which many Covenanters had been martyred, the Church of Scotland was reconstituted in 1690. But any reference to the nation’s solemn vows to God was gone. Those who had suffered so much during the killing times were grateful that the persecution had come to an end. But they looked at the constitution of the Church of Scotland and how different it was to what had been before. And they asked: ‘Why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?’ Eventually they realised that their question was never going to be answered, and so the RP Church came into being as a separate body. And as time went on, more and more people withdrew from the church of Scotland and formed other denominations. All over the question, in one form or another, of the Kingship of Jesus Christ, and how it wasn’t being recognised in the national church.
Question
- Why did the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland come into existence?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would seek the kingship of Christ in everything.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.