n case you haven’t noticed, the ground is shaking here in St. Louis. The time for intercessors to arise in our region is now.
For many months Bound4LIFE, particularly the local chapter here in St. Louis, has been tracking two court cases related to saving lives lost to abortion. The two cases – Edwards v. Beck in Arkansas along with MKB Management Corp. v. Stenehjem in North Dakota – were filed to block recent state laws which ban abortions based on when a baby’s heartbeat is detected.
On January 13, 2015, these two cases will be heard before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. Some legal experts have labeled these as the most significant cases on abortion since Roe v. Wade itself.
Both Arkansas and North Dakota’s State Legislatures have passed laws defining life as when a baby’s heartbeat can be detected. Now the appeals court will consider if the laws, passed by majority vote, are considered constitutional.
More than once in St. Louis history, our city has tried to avoid the difficult battles. In 1820, while trying to maintain a “balance,” the Missouri Compromise was minted. At a Jordan River moment in our nation’s history, we looked and refused to cross towards seeking justice for those who had none.
After wandering a while longer, we are presented once again in our region with an opportunity to stand for justice. On January 13, Bound4LIFE St. Louis invites all believers in the area to join together for a time of united prayer outside the Eighth Circuit Court building.
This opportunity to pray and stand in public witness echoes the Old Testament story of Israel’s warriors, the tribe of Gad.
During Israel’s wandering in the desert, the leaders of the tribes of Gad and Reuben met with Moses. They asked him to allow them to settle the land on the near side of the Jordan River. Moses, remembering the last time they were ready to cross the Jordan 40 years prior, and not wanting to wander in the wilderness for another 40 years, confronts them. He says in Numbers 32:7-9,
"Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord has given them? Thus your fathers did when I sent them away from Kadesh Barnea to see the land.For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the Lord had given them."
The two tribes take Moses’ words to heart. Recognizing their previous cowardice and lack of faith in the promises of the Lord, the tribes of Gad and Reuben vow to lead the charge in battle and stand on the front lines. They respond in verses 17-18:
“But we ourselves will be armed, ready to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones will dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance."
After conquering the Promised Land, the tribe of Gad became well-known as a tribe of fearless warriors. This passage of scripture reveals that it’s their love for the “little ones,” for the children, that drives their action.
Are we willing to contend in prayer for justice to be established in our nation? Or will we declare “The timing isn’t right” or “The Supreme Court isn’t stacked right”? These giants may look formidable, yet we know the One sovereign over all who desires justice more than any man.
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It is the time for the tribe of Gad to arise. While these important court cases are heard inside the Eighth Circuit Court, Bound4LIFE St. Louis will be standing outside in prayer. Local believers and churches can visit this link for more details.
Many innocent lives in our sister states Arkansas and North Dakota are on the line, which drives us to take our appeals to the Judge of Heaven. Court decisions have the potential to resonate across the nation… and America could change in a heartbeat.
Reprinted with permission from Bound4LIFE.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/hear-the-heartbeat-federal-appeals-court-to-consider-life-saving-heartbeat
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