They know not what they do

It was a glorious day at 320, standing in the sun's rays, feeling the Son's rays. God is calling us out of the darkness and into the Light, calling forth His People, those whom His Son has gained for Him. God is also calling those who came to 320 for a very different purpose, those still shrouded in the darkness and deception of the Prince of Darkness.

One of the pro-choice protesters sharing the sidewalk with us is a student, producing a film for a project. She is probably going to receive accolades from her mentors and peers for the 'important' work she is producing.

The protesters, I've noticed, are standing facing the street, holding their signs proudly, encouraging people to honk their support. What a contrast! We, meanwhile, stand facing God, praising and glorifying Him alone and the good that He is accomplishing through us and in us, here in this city. He is the only one whose accolades count.

It was a joy to stand praising God for His radiant glory! I was reminded of the prayer Mary sang when the child leaped in Elizabeth's womb:

My soul magnifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my savior!
For he has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations shall call me Blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me,
and Holy is His Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him from one generation to the next.
He has shown the strength of His arm, scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has tossed the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel,
for He has remembered His promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

We must have been quite a scene to passersby: quiet, heads bowed on one side, loud and conspicuous on the other side. The protesters will probably continue their presence. They will hold their signs and try to outdo us. But our victory over sin and death has already been won for us on the Cross!

Again, Holy Scripture springs to mind, namely 1Kings 18:
36
At the time for offering sacrifice, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, "LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things by your command.
37
Answer me, LORD! Answer me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses."
38
The LORD'S fire came down and consumed the holocaust, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench.
39
Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, "The LORD is God! The LORD is God!"

Our God will not be outdone in mercy. I am elated, dear reader, that we have been called to stand with Him at 320, praying not only for the protesters, who are proud in their conceit and, like the prophets of Baal, believe their cause is worthy. We are most importantly praying for those children who will perish at the hands of women who, with God, have brought new life into the world and chosen not to rejoice.

May the Lord have mercy on us all~