A Stitch in Time

By David M. McNabb

This is a faithful saying: “A stitch in time saves nine.” The Bible declared this truth, in more specific terms, on this wise: “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Eccl. 8:11). The verity of these wise sayings was never more apparent than in the heinous crime of homosexual marriages being committed against God and society.

America’s founders fled tyrannical oppression and despotism. In an effort to prevent future generations of Americans from suffering similarly at the hand of the U.S. government, they provided for the political power to be shared by three branches. The Legislative branch would be empowered to write the laws, the Executive branch - to enforce the laws, and the Judicial branch - to interpret them.

Rogue judges, mayors, and county officials have ignored the constitutional separation of powers and have made themselves legislator, judge and executioner. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled the ban of homosexual marriage unconstitutional, albeit without viable reason, on November 18, 2003. The court then gave the state legislature 180 days to comply with their ruling, which would allow for the state to have the first legalized homosexual weddings in the country on May 17, 2004.

The court’s action went unchecked - even unquestioned. Because the issue lingered after that November ruling, others - with more determination - have tried to outdo the Massachusetts high court.

On March 7, 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22, a proposal to enact a state "Defense of Marriage Act" as an initiative statute by almost a 2-to-1 margin. That proposal became law (Family Code Section 308.5), which states, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome declared the current movement for a U.S. Constitutional amendment banning homosexual marriages “divisive,” and “deeply disturbing.” He therefore ordered the town clerks to begin to officiate the marriages, as of February 12, in defiance of state law and of the will of the people. To date, more than 3,400 homosexual weddings have been performed in that city.

The courts refused to stop the illegal unions, and the resolve of the movement only grew.

On February 20, 2004, Victoria Dunlap, clerk of Sandoval County, New Mexico, took it upon herself to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples. 26 said licenses had already been issued, and 60 more applications submitted, when state attorney general Patricia Madrid declared the licenses “invalid under state law.” Governor Bill Richardson opposes the unions and stood behind Madrid’s decision. State lawmakers also criticized the clerk for overstepping her bounds and proceeding without obtaining a legal opinion in advance.

Although the law had been upheld in this case, the assault on the law continued in California, further bolstering the position of them that partake of this wickedness, and of them that take pleasure in them.

Mayor James West of New Paltz, NY, joined his San Francisco counterpart, but was charged with 19 criminal counts for marrying homosexuals who did not have a valid license, and ordered to cease and desist.

County Commissioner of Multnomah, Oregon, issued hundreds of licenses to homosexuals in early March. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski favors “civil unions,” but is not opposed to the marriages.

Emboldened by the national effort John Shields, openly homosexual mayor of Nyack, New York, expressed his intentions to begin performing the unholy unions in March, with himself as one of the beneficiaries of this national disregard for the law and society, not to mention the Will of the great Creator.

As each generation pushes the envelope, trying to outdo the wickedness of the last, one wonders, “How could it be any worse?” Nonetheless, the next generation somehow manages to set the bar even lower.

God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants. Paul showed in Romans 4:13 that the promise really included the whole earth, and was not exclusively to his natural offspring, but to the children of Abraham through faith. “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

The problem with the fulfillment of the promise, whether referring to the land of Canaan or to the earth, is that it is already inhabited - and the inhabitants are not all that anxious to give it up. Therefore, it must be taken from them.

God is just and righteous. He had every intention of taking the land from the Canaanites and giving it to the children of Israel. But God showed Abraham the necessity of certain events to happen first. “And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Gen. 15:13-16).

God was determined to strip the land from the hand of the Canaanites when their iniquity served to forfeit their claim to it. This is an allegory.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). This statement is actually a quote from Psalm 37:10-11, “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” All doubt is removed by this passage. God shall cause us to inherit the earth when the inhabitants thereof become exceedingly wicked.

Wise Solomon has offered us a great comfort as we witness the seeming success of the ungodly. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God” (Eccl. 8:11-12).

Take courage children of God. “When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.” “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Pro. 29:16; Luke 12:32).