I went to bed last night knowing that Issue 1 (making abortion-on-demand enshrined in Ohio’s constitution) was losing 56-44%, with about two-thirds of the votes counted. I woke to find that margin maintained with 99% of the vote counted, a result that is worthy of lament. Lament yes, but surprise no. In a world totally corrupted by sin, we cannot be surprised that a majority would have such hard hearts that they would embrace the culture of death. Abortion is just another of our sins to make the present moment “easier,” while we systematically ignore the long-term costs. And if you don’t believe in the transcendent, with a God that demands righteousness*, why not live for the moment?

Our lament is of course for the innocent victims of this result–the tens of thousands of babies who will be sacrificed on the altar of “my body, my choice.” Yet our lament should be more properly focused on the souls of those who callously embraced this culture of death. Whatever evil falls to our bodies in this life (however brief that may be), it pales in comparison to an eternity of separation from God, which the Bible describes as “eternal destruction.” While there may be a few misguided souls who voted for Amendment**, it is a reasonable conclusion that most of those affirming this amendment do not have a saving relationship with the Lord, since a healthy tree bears good fruit, while a diseased tree bears bad fruit. We should pity them, as they are deceived by our enemy, and are under God’s wrath. And while I don’t personally believe in an age of accountability***, these unborn children will be in His presence immediately.

It is easy to be discouraged when God does not answer our prayers the way that we would like, and we might want to join the psalmist who says “How long, O LORD.” And yet, God calls us to persevere in trials, and each day He is working even through evil to accomplish His good purposes. This morning when you and I woke up, we find ourselves one day closer to the ultimate consummation of history–when all things are made new. When all the evils of this world are no more. And at the end of this day, we will be even one day closer. This day God is saving souls, healing broken relationships and broken physical bodies. This day God is putting circumstances in our lives to help shape us into conformity with the image of His son, so that we will exalt in Him for all eternity. This day. This good day.

* God demands perfect righteousness, a standard we can’t meet, but considers that just demand satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for all those that repent and believe. Now that’s good news!

** And, no doubt, there were many no votes that are also unbelievers.

*** If the age of accountability were true, then perversely we would want to cheer the result of the abortionist (since every aborted child would have eternal life) even while condemning him. I prefer simply to rest in the fact that God is the most loving, just and wise entity there is–and He will do the right thing regarding these humans eternal destination, just as He does with every other human that is born.