Moral Outcry

As we prepare to take a massive stand this weekend in Houston against the Planned Parenthood clinic being erected, my heart has been stirred by a Scripture that hold s a principle we in America often like to ignore.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. (Ecc. 8:11)

In our nation, we have not begun to see trouble on a widespread basis. One reason 9/11 stunned us so much is because we felt invulnerable. It seemed unless we chose to go to war, we were immune. But just like war, sometimes if we don’t choose to go, we will suffer greater. A delayed judgment isn’t an absence of judgment.

It can be easy, when years go by and we remain comfortable, to think that that judgment stuff is “Old Testament law” and since God is merciful and it will be okay. We say things like “I hate abortion but there are so many problems in the world, and we can’t fight them all.”

But we can fight this, and we are called to fight it. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is clear on God’s feelings and response to the shedding of innocent blood. There remains no doubt when He uses words such as detest and abhor. He isn’t keeping a secret what will happen to a nation that pursues bloodshed. (Because you have not hated bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you. Ez. 35:6)

Make no mistake about it, to erect a 6-story clinic that some are, ironically, comparing to resembling a cash register is a pursuit of bloodshed. A main goal of the clinic expansion is that it needs a surgical facility to do late-term abortions. That is pursuit of bloodshed at a level an elementary school child could grasp. We are called to war. We are not called to stand and shake our heads. We are not called to ignore it and be passive because we feel helpless. We are called to fight.

Recently a friend of mine shared with me a prophetic dream she had while in Houston three years ago. In it, she saw the Scripture Amos 3:11, which says,

Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says:  
       "An enemy will overrun the land;  
       he will pull down your strongholds  
       and plunder your fortresses."

At the time she didn’t grasp its meaning but she knew as the news came about the Houston Planned Parenthood clinic that it was connected.

Before this Scripture, Amos 3 gives us more insight into what is happening and what our role is:  

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? 
         If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?  
    Surely the Lord GOD does nothing 
         Unless He reveals His secret counsel 
         To His servants the prophets.  
    A lion has roared! Who will not fear? 
         The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy? (v. 6-8)

Indeed, the Lord has revealed to us what He wants, and what happens if we do not respond. My Bound4LIFE colleague and friend Christina wrote this last week about how this Houston clinic is the largest altar of death in America. Do we hear those words: altar of death? Planned Parenthood is facilitating the worship of money and demonic influence. This is no time to sit safely inside our fortresses we call church and hope that this too shall pass. These are strong words but they are accurate words. In our secularized society we often relegate demon worship to some science fiction movie, not a building on the Gulf Freeway in Houston. Both might impact your soul, but one will impact this nation.

It will not pass. The Lord has spoken and we shall prophesy. Amos 3 ends with some words we would take heed to consider for ourselves:

 "On the day I punish Israel for her sins,  
       I will destroy the altars of Bethel;  
       the horns of the altar will be cut off  
       and fall to the ground.  

I will tear down the winter house  
       along with the summer house;  
       the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed  
       and the mansions will be demolished,"  
       declares the LORD.  (Amos 3:14-15)

 Delayed judgment isn’t absence of judgment; it’s time to stand before we fall.