By: Shafer Parker, FBB Content Director

Even after the leak on May 2 of an early draft of the United States Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe vs. Wade (that in 1973 suspended every abortion law in the U. S.) today’s announcement was still hard to believe. It felt like a dream. It felt like Israel must have felt when Persia’s king Cyrus proclaimed his support for rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (II Chron. 36:22-23). Here’s how the Bible expressed it then, and no one, I think, could say it better today. Let Ps. 126 lead you in praise.

1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,  it was like a dream!

2  We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

3  Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!

4  Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.

5  Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.

6  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. (NLT)

Today’s decision, known as “Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization,” or simply “Dobbs,” marks an epoch in the history of the pro-life movement, but it did not make abortion illegal in the U.S. It simply reversed Roe vs. Wade, in which the Supreme Court had declared that American women had a constitutional right to abortion. In fact, the U. S. Constitution says nothing about abortion, leading to Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas’ infamous phrase “penumbras, formed by emanations” as he attempted to explain exactly what part of the constitution justified the taking of human life while still in its mother’s womb.

Legal scholars exposed the decision’s flaws as soon as it was released, calling it “uncommonly silly” (The Federalist Society) and one of the worst decisions ever rendered by such an august body. But I must say I was surprised, and pleased, to find that Justices Samuel Alito, who wrote today’s decision, was equally blunt in dismissing the two decisions the court overturned. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Alito states. “Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives."

Now, for a few quick takes.

1. This would never have happened without 50 years of hard work and faithful, fervent prayer. We need to thank God for the tens of thousands of men and women who fought on their knees and in the streets until God graciously granted the desires of their hearts.

2. Today was a great victory, but the battle has just begun. The court’s decision did not make abortion illegal, it simply returned the right to make law on the subject back to the 50 states. Observers estimate that abortion may soon be illegal in as many as 25 states, but that means it could remain legal, or become legal in the other 25. Thus, the battle to persuade men and women of the evil of abortion will continue.

3. Speaking of battles, Canadians need to take encouragement from our American counterparts and renew our fight to preserve the lives of the innocent unborn in our own country. In fact, the fight for life is bigger here, because Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) means our government stands ready to support the taking away of life at any age. But our God is greater than our government, and we need to fight on.

4. Also, we need to pray for the immediate aftermath of today’s decision. A number of organizations that can accurately be called terrorist groups, are threatening days and nights of rage in America’s large cities. Already, Supreme Court Justices’ lives have been threatened, and one man has been charged with the attempted murder of Justice Brett Kavanagh. Sadly, a surprising number of left-wing politicians, including the President, the Vice-President, and the Speaker of the House are threatening the stability of American society and the rule of law by questioning the legitimacy of the court and it’s work.

5. Pray for the governors and legislators of the various states as they consider what to do now that the abortion ball is back in their court.

6. Finally, pray that the American people will stand for life in no uncertain terms, especially as elections take place across the country in November.

But above all, don’t fail to rejoice in the Lord! Today was a great victory, no matter what happens next. God is still on His throne, and He still rules over the affairs of men.

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