God's Presence Before Birth
Scripture Reading — Psalm 139:13-16
You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
In 1973 the United States Supreme Court made what has been called a "landmark decision" by legalizing "abortion on demand." Since then millions of unborn babies have been put to death legally, some through the cruel method of so-called partial-birth abortion. Some people have defended this as no more than the removal of bodily tissue, but the Bible calls it murder. Between the moment of conception and the time of birth, according to Psalm 139, God's own hand is busy shaping and molding a new human life. Says the psalmist, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place... Your eyes saw my unformed body." And God himself told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you ..." (Jeremiah 1:5). God is present even before we are born! Abortion is a defiant act of interfering with God's creative work. It's a human attempt to push away God's hand. It tells God, "You're not wanted." Abortion is a sin we must stop. If you're thinking about having an abortion, consider keeping your child or giving your child to people who are eager to adopt. Abortion always leaves an emotional scar. And when we talk to someone who has had an abortion, we have to lead them to repentance, assuring them that God forgives even the sin of abortion.
Lord, help us as a nation to repent of the sin of abortion, and help us as your children to guard and celebrate the sanctity of life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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