Isaiah 46:8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
I was not aborted. Perhaps an ridiculously obvious statement but in our day it is a vial fact. In 1973 I was 1½ years old when the United States Supreme Court ruled on Roe V Wade so it would have not been legal to end my pre-birthed life. And now, after fifty years of darkness, Friday’s announcement of the SCOTUS ruling in Dobbs V Jackson brings joy to our lives. Abortion and perhaps other things are no longer protected by judicial pseudo-constitutionality. My belief that this day would come has wavered from that of a hopeful, but less concerned teenager to a completely pessimistic adult. Until recent additions to the High Court I did not actually believe it could happen. My participation in events supporting every human beings’ Right to Life and prayers have for Roe’s demise been halfhearted. I know God can do it, but would He?
Through the years, my studies of the original ruling left me even less hopeful. Originally argued in 1971, circumstances demanded a second hearing of the case in 1972 (click either date for link to the audio). When hearing those recordings I was struck that from the perspective of our current knowledge this case was incredibly and completely flimsy. In righteous indignation I was appalled that the presentation made by Sarah Weddington, counsel for Jane Roe (now known to be Norma McCorvey) lacked moral or logical basis, not to mention legal standing. And I am just as certain that many of us could have easily been more well prepared than Mr. Flowers, counsel for Wade.
But here we are! My pessimism proven foolish, our King has answered so many prayers in one fell swoop. Of course, this ruling does not put the issue away forever, it does however allow us to fight. Essentially Roe was the only, but gigantic barrier that kept Christians and others from fighting this battle. Now, we are free to wage war in the legislature here in Indiana as well as all the other places, hope-fully worldwide. May God grant that we are diligent. Along with Al Mohler (who quoted the Psalmist) I say that Friday is “the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it”.
This is such a monumental moment in history that I regard not mentioning it and praising God for it during Sunday’s Worship an error. Perhaps this will suffice. Such a drastic change of direction, like this SCOTUS decision is incredible inspiration for spiritual troops and must challenge our negativity. But perhaps God’s Word offers a challenge more transformative. What do we mean when we pray “Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9-10)? Do we really expect God’s Kingdom to advance now. Are we anticipating things like what has just transpired to become more and more normal. Perhaps we have believed the rhetoric of the publishers of bias instead of the Word of our God.
In his book The Theopolis Vision, Peter J Leithart says that “When we pray Jesus’ model prayer we are asking God to change the world so that blasphemous persons and nations begin to sanctify God’s name, so that the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of the Lord and His Christ, so that God‘s will is as readily and thoroughly obeyed here on earth as it is by angels in heaven.” So, let us be encouraged and invigorated to press on for truth, for light and life in a dark and dying world. Let us strive all the more to be “the light of the world”. Pessimism can be left in the dark where it belongs, Our God is clearly bringing His Kingdom to pass, one decision at a time.
Seeing, Savoring & Sharing Christ,
Keith
For more great info on the recent ruling check out this link to Al Mohler’s Special Friday Edition of The Briefing or this great discussion from Break Point.
Comments