Brighton Bomb

Last week saw the 34^th anniversary of the IRA’s Brighton bombing, an attempt to destroy Margaret Thatcher and members of her government. The bomb killed 5 people, including Sir Anthony Berry MP, and wounded and maimed 31. At the conference the following morning, a shaken Prime Minister proclaimed:

"An attempt to cripple Her Majesty's democratically elected Government: that is the scale of the outrage in which we have all shared, and the fact that we are gathered here now—shocked, but composed and determined—is a sign not only that this attack has failed, but that all attempts to destroy democracy by terrorism will fail."

The IRA also released a statement, saying

“Today we were unlucky, but remember we only have to be lucky once. You will have to be lucky always.”

I do not believe the IRA were unlucky, I believe her deliverance was providential. Whatever one thinks of her policies, and there are many today who still despise them, the murder of a head of government would have unleashed a chaos and fury never previously seen. 

Although our nation continues to ignore and denigrate the God of heaven, His grace towards us continues to abound. May He protect our leaders and those in authority. Indeed, this is the prayer of every Christian, regardless of political persuasion.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

Image by Shirley Hirst from Pixabay