Provide atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel, whom You have redeemed, and do not lay innocent blood to the charge of Your people Israel.' And atonement shall be provided on their behalf for the blood. Deuteronomy 21:8

This is part of God’s law regarding what to do when there has been a murder, but there are no suspects. The particulars of this law are not applicable to us because we are neither practitioners of the Old Testament Jewish religion, nor are we citizens of ancient Israel.

The principle, however, is not one we dare miss.

Though there are no suspects, and therefore no convicted criminals to execute, nevertheless, God requires atonement for the murder. This underscores, once again, the sanctity of all human life. When the life of a human being is taken by another human being, because the image of God was desecrated, atonement is necessary for the innocent blood that has been shed. The shed blood cries out to God for justice and atonement (Genesis 4:10).

How much innocent blood has been shed in abortion clinics and now cries out to God? We cannot offer atoning sacrifices, but let us join the voice of the shed blood, calling out to God for mercy.