October Beacon

“But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations.”  Psalm 59:8

“He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.”  Proverbs 3:34

William E. Henley lived from 1849-1903. The British poet’s work included these words:

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 punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Henley wrote of an unconquerable soul, an unbowed head, and a boastful lack of fear. His pride-filled banner reads, ‘Master and Captain.’

I think the Psalmist spoke of the same type of attitude when he wrote in Psalm 2:1-2: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One.’

The Psalmist further described a desire for being ‘master and captain’ with the words in verse 3, ‘Let us break their chains…and throw off their fetters.’ What do you think would happen to a political leader who leaned away from being ‘master and captain!’ How would the masses respond to a candidate who displayed a submissive posture to the One true leader?

Psalm 2:4 reveals how God views the arrogant, proud, haughty people who rage against Him. ‘The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.’ Think and pray about who you should vote for in upcoming elections. Consider what the candidates are saying and how they are saying it. Ask for wisdom in making a decision and in discerning how each candidate views the One true ruler.

In verses 10 and 11, the Psalmist pointed to a great need in the lives of those who aspire to lead others. He wrote, ‘Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.’Our nation has many needs. I know of none greater than to have leaders who serve our LORD with fear and trembling.

Psalm 33:12 includes the words, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.’ Please pray for that to be our ‘banner.’

Pastor Lerud