KENTUCKY CLERK FACES HER “FIERY FURNACE” MOMENT

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear an appealed Kentucky case wherein county clerk Kim Davis has refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses because of her deeply held religious beliefs.  That refusal has now landed Mrs. Davis in legal hot water!

On Thursday, she is scheduled to appear before a Federal judge, who will, most likely, issue a decision on her continued refusal to comply with the June SCOTUS ruling.  Her refusal is akin to Daniel 3, where three Hebrew children stood their ground and refused to “bow down and worship” the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar.

Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrews were governmental employees!  Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrews were standing against the overwhelming societal norms of the day!  Like Mrs. Davis, the Hebrew children faced a severe punishment for their refusal to comply with a government mandate in conflict with their religious beliefs!  Unlike the three Hebrew children, Mrs. Davis is not facing a death penalty (though some of the LGBT community may want to see her dead) for her decision!  Additionally, unlike Daniel’s three friends, Mrs. Davis has a governing United States Constitution that is clearly on her side!

In Mrs. Davis’ situation, all of the LGBT community is crying, “Just do your job!”  Issue same-sex licenses as you’ve been ordered to do!  Others (primarily Bible-believing, constitutionally informed, Christians) are saying, “Stand your ground and refuse to comply!”  A still smaller group is advocating that Mrs. Davis simply resign her position, if she has such firm, uncompromising beliefs!  In this, who is right?

In all honesty, Mrs. Davis certainly has clear Biblical ground on which to stand!  Daniel and his three friends did NOT resign!  In their situation, there was not pathway to do so!  They stood and had to bear the consequences of their stand.  Mrs. Davis will have to do the same!  But, resigning is, in my opinion, NOT obligatory!  

As well, I believe Kim Davis has MORE THAN sound constitutional grounds on which to make her stand!  The beloved First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is abundantly clear!  Her religious liberty CANNOT be “prohibited” (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”).  There is no specification that says that she can practice her religious beliefs ONLY in her home, or on her non-work time!  No, Americans have always had and always believed (until very recently) that we have the freedom to practice our faith ANYWHERE, including on the job–be that job a government one, or not!!!

So, to Kim Davis I say, “Stand your ground!”  Refuse to succumb to the immense pressure that you must be facing!  Stand tall, unbent, and with firm resolve!  To the greater Christian community I say, “Pray for Mrs. Davis and show your support for her!”  Her battle is actually OUR battle!  Today, it is Kim Davis!  Tomorrow it will be the larger Christian realm!  If she loses, so do we ALL!  If she wins, we ALL win with her!  In once sense, we win either way.  I am reminded of the words of the Hebrew children, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3: 17).

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio

4 replies
  1. steve willis
    steve willis says:

    mrs. davis, trust God , and stand your ground, we ought to obey God, not mans laws when they violate a clear biblical teaching. I respect you so much for your stand, and I will be remembering you in my prayers your brother in Christ, steve willis

    Reply
  2. Thomas Orr, Jr.
    Thomas Orr, Jr. says:

    I certainly hope that the Christian community will stand behind her and support her. I believe this is just the beginning of persecution of Christians by the US government. Had she been a Muslim nothing would have come of it.

    Reply
  3. vee Culp
    vee Culp says:

    Mrs. Davis, I am so grateful I am finally able to send you a note of encouragement for the stand you are taking. (Thru Dave Kistler’s website).You are being used by our Lord as an advocate and voice for many such as myself. Continue the fight. We have one mightier on our side. Prayers for strength and perseverance for you. Salisbury, NC

    Reply

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