One of the blessings of the Internet has been the network of ministry support among folks who are geographically separated. Anglicans for Life, headquartered in Pennsylvania, is compiling a collection of pro-life scriptures, prayer, and liturgies. They are using some of the prayers posted here at Lent & Beyond, prayers that were written in Mississippi. Yesterday, after editing the collection, I read here a word received in New York: “Pray for my people to heed the warnings I give them in Scripture.” The warnings of Scripture had been much on my mind that day, and my spirit was stirred.
On study of God’s relationship with the children of Israel, it is clear that He was offended by certain actions. Indeed, a common refrain was God telling Israel if you don’t straighten up, I’ll exile you. Then came King Manasseh. He committed many evils, including Baal worship, Asherah worship, worship of the host of heaven, and the sacrifice of his own son. He used wizardry, set up graven images in the temple, and built altars for the host of heaven in the temple. He seduced Israel to do the same.
Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. . . the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger. So the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, ‘There shall my Name be.’ 2 Kings 21:12, 23:26-27
No other king of Judah is recorded as seducing his people to sin. The Bible points to King Manasseh as the explanation for Judah’s doom. The institutionalization of sin or the institutional endorsements of sin is grievous in God’s eyes.
In contrast, David’s first act as king was to send messengers to bless the men of Jabesh-gilead who had buried King Saul. After the kingdom is united, he moves the ark to Jerusalem, sacrificing seven bulls and seven rams every six paces. In response, God promises to establish his house, his throne, and his kingdom forever. Institutional righteousness and corporate praise are pleasing to God.
Our God is the giver of life, the fountain of life, the author of life. He sustains and restores life. He sent us His Son, Who is the Life, the Light of Life, the Word of Life. His Son was sent to abolish death for our sakes.
From Genesis to Revelation, there is a clear dichotomy in Holy Scripture: good vs evil, blessings vs curses, righteousness vs iniquity, Jesus vs Satan, life vs death. The clear message is “Choose life.”
Yet, 50,000,000 abortions have been performed since Roe vs Wade. Yet the Episcopal Church not only fails to oppose abortion but actively supports it by joining the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
God says, “Choose life.”
We say, “No, thank You.”
Has it not crossed the minds of our leaders that God might say, “Are you sure? Well then, have it your way.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We pray for Your people in the Episcopal Church and in the United States to have an increased thirst for Holy Scripture and for them to fully receive the words of life. We pray for them to heed the warnings of Scripture, to repent, and to embrace the life of Your Son, so freely given. Amen.
