A Classic on Marriage by James C. Dobson, # 2 of 2

FAMILY NEWS FROM FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

In Defending Marriage — Take the Offensive!
Dr. Dobson's Newsletter: April, 2004


The following is part 2 of 2 (Pages 4 and 5)

This apocalyptic and pessimistic view of the institution of the family and its future will sound alarmist to many, but I think it will prove accurate unless—unless—God's people awaken and begin an even greater vigil of prayer for our nation. That's why Shirley and I are urgently seeking the Lord's favor and asking Him to hear the petitions of His people and heal our land. As of this time, however, large segments of the church appear to be unaware of the danger; its leaders are surprisingly silent about our peril (although we are tremendously thankful for the efforts of those who have spoken out on this issue). The lawless abandon occurring recently in California, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Washington and elsewhere should have shocked us out of our lethargy. So far, I'm alarmed to say, the concern and outrage of the American people have not translated into action.

This reticence on behalf of Christians is deeply troubling. Marriage is a sacrament designed by God that serves as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and His Church. Tampering with His plan for the family is immoral and wrong. To violate the Lord's expressed will for humankind, especially in regard to behavior that He has prohibited, is to court disaster.
Here's the question of the hour: How can we stop the imperious courts and rogue local officials from overriding the will of the people, who continue to oppose homosexual marriage by a wide margin? There is only one answer. It is for the Congress and the state legislatures to pass a Federal Marriage Amendment to define this historic institution exclusively as being between one man and one woman. That is the passion of my heart at this stage of my life. Seven times in the past few months, I have joined more than 50 pro-family leaders in Washington, D.C., imploring members of Congress to protect the family while there is still time. I'm told that there is a brief window, now that the President has expressed his strong support, when a Federal Marriage Amendment might be possible. Still, the opposition to its passage is formidable.
It is terribly difficult to pass a constitutional amendment under the best of circumstances. It requires a two-thirds majority of both houses of Congress and passage by three-fourths of the state legislatures. That has only occurred 27 times in our 228 year history.14 It will certainly not be easily accomplished this time. As I write, 34 senators (seven Republicans and 27 Democrats) are reportedly planning to vote against the FMA.15 Nothing short of a national outcry by the citizens of this country will secure the necessary support. We heard that repeatedly last week when we were on Capitol Hill. This is a time of destiny for our great nation.
Despite the danger that confronts us, I am hopeful that the death of the family can be averted. Most Americans still believe in the Judeo-Christian system of values, and millions of them are people of faith who are calling on the Lord for a miracle on behalf of our nation. That is the source of our confidence at such a perilous time.

As we approach the National Day of Prayer (NDP) on May 6, I am beseeching our brothers and sisters to pray in the public square for the survival of the institutions of marriage and parenthood, and to rally for the restoration of our First Amendment rights that are being stripped away, inch by inch. The theme of this year's NDP is "Let Freedom Ring," taken from Leviticus 25:10, which reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants" (NIV).
In addition to gathering on the National Day of Prayer, we are suggesting that our friends and supporters participate in what the NDP Task Force is calling "Freedom Five." The purpose is to commit five minutes a day to pray for the five centers of power. They are education, the media, the church, the family and the government (especially the judiciary). Perhaps a million people across the country will join in this effort. For information about NDP or about other prayer observances in your area of the country, please see the clickable map found at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

I will leave you with this familiar story told in 2 Chronicles 32. There we read about King Hezekiah who had served God "wholeheartedly" during his reign. However, he eventually faced a terrible crisis when Sennacherib, King of Assyria, invaded Judah with 185,000 well-armed and trained warriors. They wiped out the defenders of every city that lay in their path. Then they laid siege to Jerusalem and demanded that Hezekiah surrender or be totally destroyed.
These are the irreverent words shouted by Sennacherib to Hezekiah and his defenders who were standing on the wall:


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"Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? Who of all the gods of these nations that my fathers destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand?"(2 Chronicles 32:13-15, NIV).

Hezekiah along with the prophet Isaiah did what you and I would have done under those distressing circumstances. They cried out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for deliverance. Hezekiah also encouraged his countrymen with these inspired words: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the King of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles" (2 Chronicles 32:7-8, NIV).

And indeed, the Lord did intervene as a result of the prayers of His people, delivering them from the hands of their enemies. That story should be of great encouragement to every believer who faces overwhelming odds at a time of great distress.
To summarize, let me say that Focus on the Family will not waver during this time of national urgency. By working with the other pro-family organizations and thousands of committed churches throughout the nation, we will strive to defend the principles that matter most. In so doing, we will likely be attacked, misquoted and maligned by the liberal media and by those whose views on marriage and sexuality are radically different from our own. We would covet your prayers during this time of intense debate. No matter what the odds, we are determined to stay the course. And may our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless us as we do.
Will you join me in this closing prayer?

"Heavenly Father, our great and magnificent King, we ask You to intercede on behalf of the institution of marriage and plead with You to save the family from those who would destroy it. With them is only 'an arm of flesh,' but our appeal is to the God of the universe who has never lost a battle. We do not deserve Your mercy, but we kneel humbly before You today and repent of our sin and disobedience. When the history of this era is written, let it be remembered as a time when righteousness was rediscovered and when the wickedness of this day would be transformed by a nationwide spiritual renewal that would sweep through the land. For this, we and future generations will be forever grateful."

Sincerely,

James C. Dobson, Ph.D. Founder and Chairman
Focus on the Family
Colorado Springs, CO 80995