Today’s Devotion
Topic: Against Abortion (Part 4)
Text: Deuteronomy 19: 10
So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood guiltiness be on you. Amen
Introduction: Today we continue our series on Abortion. Previous expositions have been very enlightening in helping us understand the way abortion looks in the sight of God and the value of a human life. Its inference establishes in no uncertain terms that each life is unique and any attempt to cut it short is tantamount to murder.
THE QUESTIONS: Then comes the intellectual arguments; what if the conception is due to a rape incidence or an unintended sexual experiment by the immature? What if the conception is a threat to the mother or the child or both? What if the conception is by mistake because the couple are not ready for it or have a circumstance that threatens hardship if the foetus is allowed to develop into a child?
Before an attempt of an answer is given, let us digress a little into an analysis of the thinking of man.
Did you realise from your observation that man always seeks the most logical means to justify his actions, even when he truly knows those actions are not the best and have serious consequences attached?
For instance, a drunkard may be drinking his many problems away. It makes logical sense. But is that the best solution?
A prostitute may be so, because she’s an orphan and has no one to aid her through life except to sell her body. Sounds so logical, but does that justify why she should trade her body for sex?
That is man’s way of looking at things, as biased as can favour them. So let’s rather consider these from the Bible’s point of view:
Proverbs 6:16-17 says, “there are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.” Then in Genesis 9:6-7, Jehovah told Noah and his family that, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image. As for you, be fruitful and increase in number, multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” He also warned the Israelites in Exodus 23:7 saying, “Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.”
These clearly make abortion detestable before God, right? But that’s not all.
Psalm 127:3-5 explains that, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”
Why should such a blessing be cut short? Each life is so important that Job decided never to mistreat any life, asking himself, “Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31: 15).
You see, if every pregnant woman would ask these questions, they would think twice about aborting the unborn child. Jehovah so loves each child that if only they were born and the parents did not even want the child, He (God considers these children His very own and take care of them.
He said in Isaiah 49:15, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
That is why David, whom many Bible scholars believe was an illegitimate child, once wrote, From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God” (Ps 22: 10). He also said, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Ps 139: 13, 16)
NOW TO ADDRESS THE QUESTIONS: Honestly, all the questions in paragraph 3 are very relevant, and the issues they address can have serious consequences for the individuals in question if not handled well.
However, we have an example like Japhthah (Judges 11) in the Bible whose mother was a prostitute and hence could abort him to avoid shame or the untold hardships of bearing a child she was not ready for. But she did not, and her child later grew to be greater than the circumstances surrounding his birth.
Also Jabez’s mum conceived him in pain but at least did not abort him but gave him a chance to live, and lo! He became more honourable than his brothers and the Lord was with him. (1 Chron 4: 9-10)
THE ANSWER:
So the answer to these questions is very simple. From all the above, God’s position on abortion is very obvious. By eternal law, it is a life cut short and tantamount to murder. The Word of God does not change. Any other decision contrary is between the individual and God.
If after meditating on all these a couple is still convicted to go on with an abortion to avoid shame or future hardships, let it be between they and their God. However their faith can rise up to believing that God will watch over them and make a way for the sake of the unborn child. YES HE CAN AND YES HE WILL IF THEY LET HIM.
Also, if the abortion is being considered due to medical risk factors or life threatening situations, it still should be between the individual or couple and God. None of us will judge them. The life of both the mother and unborn child are so important to God, we will leave that restitution between God and the individual. He is sovereign and has always dealt with our situation the way He deems best. He knows us and understands our frailty. His mercies forgives and restores if we will let Him.
Tomorrow we will be looking at what to do if one already committed abortion in the past and share someone’s a personal experience with us all.
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