Devotional Index

April 2010 Devotional

Press on!

It’s been almost thirty-seven years since Roe vs. Wade was unleashed, providing a legalized death sentence on the unborn. In the ensuing years, the number of abortions annually in America have been fairly consistent at one to one and one half million babies each year, totaling about fifty million children taken to date. These are lives of the most innocent and helpless among humanity – the unborn baby.

Over the past thirty-seven years, the Christian community has seemingly moved through patterns of it’s own. When abortion was first legalized, some realized the inherent evil of the practice and took the right stands against it, at least to some degree. As abortion became increasingly popular as a means of “birth control,” more Christians realized the heinousness of it and were activated. The pro-life movement gained momentum and became involved in the fight for life. For a period of time “Pro-lifers” gathered outside of abortion clinics in opposition to the murderous pursuits, while attempting to speak with women visiting the clinics. Pro-life calls and letters flooded the offices of elected officials. Progress was being made, but the seriousness of the issue demanded more response.

In Baptist circles, Mark Blocher saw the urgent need to educate Christians in pro-life issues, and established Baptists for Life Inc. Through his prayers, vision and efforts, pregnancy care centers were started in several states, providing the means to share the truth of the Gospel, the sanctity of life in the womb and the importance of moral purity. Churches were involved in providing support for the centers, both financially and with volunteers to work with the clients. For a number of years, centers were supported and well staffed by churches that loved the Lord, and were deeply moved for the sanctity of life.

But for some reason enthusiasm has cooled, and the pro-life movement and ministry seems to be waning. Somewhere along the path we have become accustomed to the idea of abortion. I am not saying we accept it; I am saying we are not motivated as we should be by the reality of unborn babies being killed every day. There may be a number of reasons for the growing apathy.

• We have listened to thirty-seven years of “pro death” rhetoric spew from various media outlets that may have softened our views in spite of the clear biblical teaching. We get the attitude that “if this is the way it is going to be, there is nothing I can do to stop it.”
• We may have become disheartened by the lack of success. Abortion is still legalized, babies are still aborted, and we currently have one of the most pro-abortion administrations ever in top political positions. If it hasn’t changed by now, it won’t.
• We may be so busy in our own personal lives and pursuits that there is simply no time or energy left for the pro-life cause.
• We are constantly maligned. We are usually labeled as ignorant, superstitious, old fashioned, the religious and radical, the insignificant, the minority, the radical, … and every other demeaning term popular at the time.

It is easy to retreat in such times and circumstances. But we need to ask ourselves some searching questions. When is it right to stop standing for truth? When is it permissible to ignore the wrongful deaths of millions of innocent babies? When is it glorifying to God to allow the wicked to have their way with our silent permission? When does God want our light to stop shining?

The truth is, God's people don’t have God’s permission to give up! He tells us to press on, regardless of the odds or reactions of the majority.

Consider an example. Numbers 13-14 records the example of Moses sending out the twelve men to “... spy out the land of Canaan ...” The appointed men fulfilled their duty, and reported back to Moses with their reports. All twelve agreed that “surely it floweth with milk and honey ...” But not all twelve men agreed that it was possible to do what God told them!

Ten of the men saw nothing but obstacles and defeat. They were willing to ignore the promises of God and surrender the land to the ungodly. They had no faith in the power or promises of God and gave no thought to the future of Israel. They measured success only in light of the size and strength of the adversaries and their own weakness and stature.

Only two men looked beyond the obstacles in faith. Joshua and Caleb were willing to believe in the Word of God, depend upon the strength of God and fight the battles God had set before them. They didn't rely on themselves or the nation, but on the LORD. “If the LORD delight delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey,” 14:8.

If you don't know the story, please read the account from Numbers 13-14. In light of the point I want to focus on a few practical lessons.

• Caleb and Joshua were the minority, with an 83.3 % opposition. It is very rare when God's faithful are the majority.
• Caleb and Joshua were nevertheless committed to obedience to God and faith in His Word. They wanted to get busy, get into the battle and trust the Lord for the results.
• Caleb and Joshua weren't moved by popular opinion, even at the risk of their own lives, v. 10.
• Caleb and Joshua were rewarded for their faith in the Lord and devotion to doing what God commanded. Only they entered the Promised Land, while the “majority” perished in the wilderness.

The pro-life battle has been raging for almost forty years – the same time as Israel wandered in the wilderness for disobedience. Will you join the minority and stand for His cause, or surrender in the face of the adversaries? The truth is clear; God will fulfill His will; the call is clear; it doesn’t matter what others think. It is not time to give up; it is time to obey God and press on for His glory!

Pastor Rick Rogers
Calvary Baptist Church, Sturtevant, WI
Board Member of Baptist For Life of Wisconsin