“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:24).
June 26, 2013 was a day of infamy for the United States of America. On that day, on both the state (Texas), and the federal level, events transpired that will further degrade our moral standing before the Almighty God of heaven.
In Austin, TX a filibuster delayed a vote in the Texas senate that would have restricted abortion rights in the state. State Senator Wendy Davis, a Democrat from Fort Worth, managed to derail a vote that would certainly have passed. In fact, the senate voted (too late) 19-10 along party lines to enact the bill, which would do the following:
“Abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy would be banned. All clinics would be required to be upgraded to high-standard surgical centers, likely prompting many to close. Doctors would need admitting privileges at hospitals. And new restrictions would be placed on abortion-inducing pill procedures.”
(Christy Hoppe & Claire Z. Cardona, Dallas Morning News 6/26/2013)
Another attack on God’s standard of morality recently occurred when the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) removed any restrictions on “Plan B contraception.” On June 20, the FDA officially approved the over-the-counter sale of the “morning after” pill to all women of childbearing age. This means that even young girls can take the pill — basically a strong hormonal therapy that can cause significant side effects — without parental approval.
A partisan article disclosing the FDA ruling hailed it as a victory for women, noting that “accidents happen.” However, the author of the article, (Jose Martinez of Southern California Public Radio), decried the cost of the pill. He wrote, “Calls to several South L.A. pharmacies found Plan B prices ranging between $40 and $55 for a single pill. That can add up.” How absurd. “Accidents happen” often enough that “emergency contraception” costs can “add up.” This is simply a further license to promiscuity and fornication. You don’t have sex by mistake! Fornication is a willful and sinful act. The shamelessness of our society is sickening.
Also on June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) as unconstitutional, by a 5-4 decision. The decision now enables partners in same sex marriages who are married in states where such marriages are legal to be eligible for federal benefits. While the decision does not make same sex marriages legal in every state, it does signify a further erosion of the moral fabric of our nation.
Long ago the apostle Paul wrote about a decadent society filled with all sorts of immoral and unspeakable acts. Of that people he said, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). Some may claim that Rome’s ungodliness dwarfs that of our own nation. This may be so, but if so, it is obvious the gap is rapidly narrowing.
We do not know the mind of God. We do, however, understand that He rules in the affairs of men. We also know that the decline of the moral fiber of our nation has been precipitous, and that our future depends upon His favor. The future does not seem to hold much promise of a penitent people. May the God of Heaven spare the righteous remnant from His impending wrath upon a disobedient and immoral nation.
“The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:16-18).
