Sometimes things happen in the world that make your heart totally and completely break. This week one of those things happened. Abortion was taken to a new level with late term abortion becoming law by the New York state government. I’ll never forget the video I saw of those in the state senate applauding this bill as it was being passed. It is a sad day indeed when men and women can be happy about killing innocent babies!
I have to say, I am so heartbroken over this law and the fact that other states are looking to implement it in their jurisdictions as well, one recently calling for a step worse, infantcide, killing babies afer they are born!
I have talked to a few people about this issue. The reactions of godly people I know have been righteous indignation for sure. The way people chose to express that feeling is what I’d like to talk about today.
One of my closest friends told me, “I can’t look at it. I can’t read about it. I don’t want to talk about it.” Abortion, especially the kind of abortion that is now legal, is such an evil murderous thing. I surely can understand my friend’s sentiments as I myself have scrolled past stories about the issue. Sometimes I feel like my heart just can’t take it another minute!
It is overwhelming to us, because as Jesus followers, God has called us to choose life! “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” Duet. 30:19 The issue isn’t made any clearer than that! Choosing life is a non-debatable issue for God. We are not asked to choose life, we are commanded to choose life!
What those of the world don’t realize is that we are each made by our loving God for a reason. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” Ps. 139:13 In fact, God has a plan for each of us, not from the moment of conception, but BEFORE! God’s word says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jer. 1:5 And God tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 Lives, all lives, are quite intentional. Who are we as humans to interfere with God's plans and harm the innocent?
A brother posted something on face book about how we need to make our voices heard for those who cannot speak for themselves; he is right. God never called His people to silently look the other way when faced with great evil. When evil came calling the children of Israel acted in four ways:
1. They prayerfully sought the Lord.
“Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” 2Cron. 20:5-6 He continues, “‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’” 2Chron. 20:9
2.) They admitted their helplessness.
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.”2 Chron 20:12-13
3.) They listened to and obeyed God.
“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2Cron 20:15-17
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 2Chron. 20:20-21
4. They expressed faith by praising God as they went out to meet their enemies.
22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2Chron 20:22
God’s word says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.’ James 4:17 It is right to defend children who have no voice! The question is, what can we do? Write to the government powers that be? Yes! Or maybe form a demonstration? Yes! As God’s people, we must use whatever power we have, (and we have the power of the Holy Spirit folks!) to go out and meet this evil head on! Countless lives are depending on us! So lets get the ball rolling by seeking God in prayer about this!
God’s word says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chron. 7:14 Stand in the gap, thanking God for your heartbeat and praying for those little heartbeats on the verge of being snuffed out in a heinous, murderous way. “Take your position, stand firm and see the deliverance of your Lord.” 2Chron. 20:17