Unconquered
Marlys Roos, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17 (ESV)
I can think of few sadder words written in English than those of William Ernest Henley penned in the poem that another later entitled “Invictus” (“unconquered” in Latin)1:
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
They are the ultimate cry of “I can do it myself.” The poem and its words became popular in the early 20th century. They had a resurgence as a cry against tyranny later because Nelson Mandela recited the poem as encouragement during his twenty-seven years of imprisonment in South Africa. Nonetheless, these words—and the entire poem—express, unintentionally, the cycle of rebellion and consequence resulting from the Fall. We think we know better than, or at least as much as, God and don’t really need Him. We can do it ourselves.
The truth is we can’t. Thinking we can is arrogance and pride, what many call the original sin. It’s a false faith or hope, “the illusion that we are competent to run our own lives, achieve our own sense of self-worth and find a purpose big enough to give us meaning in life without God.”2
Although the Pharisees Jesus addressed in today’s verse seemed to have a robust faith in God, Jesus knew they were trying to do it themselves. They thought they could work their way into God’s favor and heaven on their own. In fact, their religion was no different than all other religions save Christianity because all are dependent on works, on “doing it yourself.” Christianity alone depends upon the work of God alone through Christ.
From Cain to the patriarchs to the Israelites and their tumultuous history, we see the desire to “do it myself” throughout the Old Testament. God disclosed to those mentioned their dependence on Him, sometimes through circumstances and sometimes through prophets. So, like the vineyard owner in Christ’s parable (Matt. 21:33-40; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16), God sent His Son to address His people in-person. And now, even though we as God’s people understand the message and that the consequences have been paid for through the cross, we still live in a “do it yourself” fallen world. So, we wrestle between trusting in God and trusting in some other (Rom. 7:14-23).
But God in His grace provides encouragement in innumerable ways—praying for us Himself (Rom. 8:26, 34), giving us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), giving community with other believers and strugglers (2 Cor. 1:3-4), showing Himself through nature (Rom. 1:20), and of course, speaking through His Word (2 Tim. 3:16). Throughout Scripture, God not only directly addresses our struggle, but He also has provided examples of how those who have gone before us handled the struggle.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Compare the words of “Invictus” to these words of the prophet Jeremiah, who in the midst of his lament held to the one true Source of hope.
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
The wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
And is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in Him.”
Which poet truly was unconquered?
PRAYER
“O God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come. Be Thou our Guide while life shall last, And our eternal Home!”3
1 William Ernest Henley, “Invictus,” found on The Poetry Foundation, accessed June 10, 2023, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51642/invictus.
2 Timothy Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy (Leyland, England: 10ofThose, 2012), 15.
3 Isaac Watts, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” in Hymns for the Family of God (Nashville: Paragon Associates, 1976), 370.
More free resources for help, hope, and healing:
Aging with Grace – Discover a fresh gospel that is big enough, good enough and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious. Free “Ask an Older Woman” videos and much more. Not just for older women!
About the Author: Marlys Roos is publications coordinator for the PCA’s Committee on Discipleship Ministries. She, her husband, and son live in Atlanta and are members of Perimeter Church.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Tuesday, 20 August 2024.
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