June 7
1 Kings 2:1-3:2 | PS 125:1-5 | Prov 16:25 | Acts 5:1-42
In Mark 10:9, we read, "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” The process of getting pregnant, from the right pH, the right timing, the right transport, the right impact of sperm and egg is very intricate. Following impact, the right division, the right implantation, and the right development is so precise, and must be, for things to turn out right. I can view the science behind these processes and be in awe over the complexity of the entire process of the joining and the development of the baby in the womb. But after all of these years as an obstetrician, I am left with a much more simplistic viewpoint. I see God literally placing together that egg with that sperm, and with His eyes never leaving His creation, like the conductor of a symphony orchestra He develops the child inside the uterus. Back to the verse above, since God has created this union, no matter what the reason, no one has the right to separate it, or un-create what God has created. This holds true no matter what the reason: it will "ruin my life", I can't afford it, it will destroy my career, etc. Even for reasons such as birth defects, rape or incest. There can be terrible events surrounding this union of egg and sperm, and these should never be minimized or swept under the rug. Empathy and love through these difficulties must be the rule. But it is not for me, or for anyone else to decide why it is that God chose to join together that particular egg with that sperm, but since He did, "let not man separate".
The disciples were given a charge by Jesus, Himself, in Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” They were called to be His witnesses, though the road for each of them would be very difficult. So we witness their boldness after being arrested again as we read in Acts 5:19-20, "But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”" Though the disciples were joined together with their mission as His witnesses, we see men, even religious men, trying to separate them from their charge in 5:27-28, "And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”" Furious at their refusing to comply, the religious leaders wanted to kill them, but one of them, Gamaliel, wisely stated in 5:38-39, "And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” Yes, the road was difficult for the disciples of Jesus, but we see their mindset in 5:40-41, "And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
We read in Proverbs 16:25, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." God did not give us a complicated plan. We are His children. He knows this, it is often we who forget this. Children are commanded to obey their parents, as children of God, we are commanded to obey our Heavenly Father. We can come up with a million different reasons to explain why the ways of the world make more sense, but in the end, God will be proven correct every time. As His followers, rather than complicating things, developing the evidence of a defense attorney, etc., why not keep it simple, as His children. When it comes to abortion, ""Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” When it comes to gender confusion, how about using the same verse. In reality, we are simple, yes, all of us, so why not keep it that way, and simplify our life and our direction.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: