I woke up this morning as burdened as I have ever been for the state of our nation and the world.  Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that gay marriage is now legal in all 50 states.   Boldly, the White House proudly displayed the rainbow of colors that the homosexual community has hijacked from the Biblical account of God’s promise never to flood the earth again with water.  It is a sad day in America…and woe to us, as we shake our collective fist at God.  As in the time of the judges, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25)

My response is to commit this day to prayer and supplication, and I want to share some thoughts that I’ve gleaned while seeking God’s face today.

First, it seems we have crossed a threshold just as threatening (though in a different way) as Roe v Wade that legalized abortion in the US.  Since January 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court issued that fatal decision, nearly 60 million unborn babies have been murdered in this country.  That is 10 times as many people killed in the holocaust!

Following that decision, we saw (and continue to see) attempts to make other types of murder “okay.”  For example, the idea of euthanasia gained steam, as some believe we should simply “help others die” (or do the duty for them) if they seem to have no value to society or wish to live no longer.  Euthanasia is simply an attempt to abuse the elderly and discard the disabled.

So, what evil will spin off of the gay marriage Supreme Court decision?  If God’s Word is not the standard of morality, then what is to prevent the marriage of a man and an animal?  How about multiple men and women in a marriage?  What about a woman and her mother?  Or a 30-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl?  Furthermore, what about religious rights?  Will pastors be required to perform same-sex marriages?  Will Christian ministries be required to accept workers or volunteers whose beliefs are diametrically opposed to the organization?  Will Christian universities and seminaries be required to permit same-sex couples to live in dorms designated for single men or women?

With enhanced boldness, the liberal gay and transgender agendas will likely be advanced in the face of Christians and others who do not hold to such positions.  Will our rights of religious freedom and freedom of speech be preserved, or will “the agenda” run roughshod over the liberties we now hold dear?  School-age children are already required to learn about families with “two mommies” or “two daddies.”  What will be forced down their throats against the will of parents now?

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!
~Isaiah 5:20-21

Christians, do not despair!

The Supreme Court and the American government have surely disregarded Biblical standards of marriage that have stood since the beginning of time.  But they cannot put Jesus back in the tomb!  Our Lord Jesus is our Blessed Hope and He still reigns on high!  Yes, many will be devastated by the effects of this ruling.  It is tragic, and is yet another “wake up call” to the church.  But, it has been in seasons of dire distress that the church has, historically, rallied to call upon the Lord.  Great awakenings occur when there is nowhere else to turn.  The time is ripe for a Great Awakening!

So, what should we do?  Here are some Biblical commands:

• Pray! 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 says that, despite God allowing devastation to occur, He will respond to those who call on His name in humility, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways.  America has turned to wicked ways, so we (God’s people) are commanded to pray and repent on behalf of our nation.  He will respond by hearing our prayers, forgiving our nation’s sins, and healing our land.
• Trust! Psalm 9:10 says, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”  Friends, God has not forgotten His chosen!  Those of us who have put our trust in Him are indeed His chosen! (Ephesians 1:4)
• Stand firm (Ephesians 6) in our belief about marriage, sanctity of life, and other Biblical principles. Do not allow the world to squeeze you into its mold! (Romans 12:2)  Marriage is defined by God, no matter what the Supreme Court says!
• Be prepared to minister to those who will be harmed by the waywardness of this decision. Undoubtedly, when we ignore God’s best, we “get what we ask for,” and it drags us into despair.  Just as the wayward woman at the well was thirsting for the Living Water (John 4:7-14), so will others caught up in the waywardness of this vile decision.  Avoid becoming outraged and turning away from those caught up in sin.  They need to see Jesus in you!
• Fear God…not the evil that lurks in our world. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge.  (Proverbs 14:26)

For those of you following our study, Looking for the Blessed Hope, you know I could not have imagined or planned the current events that are occurring as we wrap up this study.  If you have not followed the study, please see my two previous posts (Fig Trees and Generations and How Close are We?), and come back tomorrow for the finale.

Thanks for stopping by…and keep looking for the Blessed Hope!