Invictus

I was just thinking about - - -

What was promoted as "Super Tuesday" by the Media manipulators, generated interest and various speeches by the remaining candidates.

I was taken by two of the speeches in particular. In one speech, a Republican victor stated: "We are the Captain of our fate..." A Democratic aspirant stated: "We are the one we've been waiting for... We are the hope for the future... We can do this..." And then an interesting mantra resonated throughout the gathering, "Yes, we can!"

The substance of the speeches caused me to think of the words in a poem by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), INVICTUS - - -

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

An interesting observation from recent history reminds us of an extent to which this can become part of one's philosophy of life and action. Timothy McVeigh, who wreaked such havoc and caused so many deaths in the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma, used the Invictus as his last words before his execution. And with that utterance, as his soul left this world and entered into eternity, he very quickly learned the folly of his words and ways - but - too late for any meaningful change (repentance) or contrition for his dreadful act.

If there is any possibility that the above mentioned politicians believe what they uttered and would lead this nation with that philosophy, then this nation can expect very challenging and difficult times ahead. It would be important to take note of God's disposition about such matters of national import. Psalm 9:15 through 17, "The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught...The wicked shall return to Sheol (grave or hell), all the nations that forget God."

If we are to be "one nation, under God", then we need to disengage from the foolishness of words, such as: "We are the Captain of our fate..." and "We are the one we've been looking for...we can do it - Yes, we can!", etc. In a political speech, the words may seem inspiring and motivational. In the bigger picture, with eternity's values in view - they are an evident departure from a fear of God and dependence upon Him. If only, someone would remember: "God is not mocked..." Throughout history, the nations that neglected spiritual values and the role of God in the affairs of a nation, did so to their own peril, demise and destruction.

Think about it...