From My Perspective - - -
It is always good to know one’s limitations – be it royalty or peasantry! All are mortal and all have boundaries in terms of what can and can’t be done. Charles Krauthammer has written in The Washington Post: “We expect our presidents to play Superman. Helplessness, however undeniable, is no defense. Moreover, (President) Obama has never been overly modest about his own powers. Two years ago next week, he declared that history will mark his ascent to the presidency as the moment when “our planet began to heal” and “the rise of the oceans began to slow.” Well, when you anoint yourself King Canute, you mustn’t be surprised when your subjects expect you to command the tides.” This would apply to oil leaks and sundry other issues that may occur.
Even an aspiration for “change” would require one to employ common sense and face the reality that every man is mortal and no man is omnipotent. The following is taken from: The King Who Could Not Stop The Sea But Stemmed The Viking Tide On England's Shores - Written for The Viking Network by Barrie Markham Rhodes. He noted: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey. So spoke King Canute the Great, the legend says, seated on his throne on the seashore, waves lapping round his feet. Canute had learned that his flattering courtiers claimed he was "So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back". Now Canute was not only a religious man, but also a clever politician. He knew his limitations - even if his courtiers did not - so he had his throne carried to the seashore and sat on it as the tide came in, commanding the waves to advance no further. When they didn't, he had made his point that, though the deeds of kings might appear 'great' in the minds of men, they were as nothing in the face of God's power.”
One gets a significant glimpse of one’s humanity in the Classic Poem – Casey At The Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. The poem is known by most - - -
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play…
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
Casey did not like the first two pitches that were thrown to him – but both were called strikes by the umpire. With grit and determination, Casey waits for the next pitch… The Poem continues - - -
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow…
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
In Job 7:17-19 – in the midst of difficulty and sorrow – Job asks: “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?” David raises a similar question in Psalm 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Man is wonderfully made in the image of God – but – man is not God! Man has limitations but God does not! Man is mortal and will die but God is immortal and eternal. Jesus said He would give eternal life to His sheep – have you received that gift from God? You can avoid the ultimate disaster. Someone shared: “Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place!” Consider these things with me!
It is always good to know one’s limitations – be it royalty or peasantry! All are mortal and all have boundaries in terms of what can and can’t be done. Charles Krauthammer has written in The Washington Post: “We expect our presidents to play Superman. Helplessness, however undeniable, is no defense. Moreover, (President) Obama has never been overly modest about his own powers. Two years ago next week, he declared that history will mark his ascent to the presidency as the moment when “our planet began to heal” and “the rise of the oceans began to slow.” Well, when you anoint yourself King Canute, you mustn’t be surprised when your subjects expect you to command the tides.” This would apply to oil leaks and sundry other issues that may occur.
Even an aspiration for “change” would require one to employ common sense and face the reality that every man is mortal and no man is omnipotent. The following is taken from: The King Who Could Not Stop The Sea But Stemmed The Viking Tide On England's Shores - Written for The Viking Network by Barrie Markham Rhodes. He noted: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey. So spoke King Canute the Great, the legend says, seated on his throne on the seashore, waves lapping round his feet. Canute had learned that his flattering courtiers claimed he was "So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back". Now Canute was not only a religious man, but also a clever politician. He knew his limitations - even if his courtiers did not - so he had his throne carried to the seashore and sat on it as the tide came in, commanding the waves to advance no further. When they didn't, he had made his point that, though the deeds of kings might appear 'great' in the minds of men, they were as nothing in the face of God's power.”
One gets a significant glimpse of one’s humanity in the Classic Poem – Casey At The Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. The poem is known by most - - -
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play…
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
Casey did not like the first two pitches that were thrown to him – but both were called strikes by the umpire. With grit and determination, Casey waits for the next pitch… The Poem continues - - -
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow…
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.
In Job 7:17-19 – in the midst of difficulty and sorrow – Job asks: “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?” David raises a similar question in Psalm 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Man is wonderfully made in the image of God – but – man is not God! Man has limitations but God does not! Man is mortal and will die but God is immortal and eternal. Jesus said He would give eternal life to His sheep – have you received that gift from God? You can avoid the ultimate disaster. Someone shared: “Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place!” Consider these things with me!
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