The 1984 Nobel Literature prize was awarded by the Swedish Academy, to 83 year old dissident poet Jaroslav Seifert of Czechoslovakia.
He had been chosen "for his poetry which, endorsed with freshness, sensuality and rich inventiveness, provides a liberating image of the indomitable spirit of man", said the academy spokesman.
Seifert is an individualist who broke with the communist party in 1928 and took strong objections to Russia's overthrow of Alexander Dubcek in 1956. The communist government has criticized Seifert, who was regarded as the greatest living poet in Czechoslovakia "for social ambition", but did not imprison him due to his great popularity.
Hats off to Jaroslav Seifert and the ‘indomitable spirit of man’! And praise be to God in whose image man is created and by whose very life we continue to exist, even in tough times.
When you consider the historical record of humankind's flexibility, resourcefulness and ingenuity to adapt and survive, then it's easy to believe that we were created by divine design for a special purpose!
Consider Adam and Eve and God's directive to them, "be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth". What a charge Adam received, and today there are 8.2 billion people on this planet! Not bad for one man and one woman!
Consider Abraham and Sarah and God's command to him to leave the idol worshippers of the Chaldees and go to the land of Palestine, where He would bless and give them a homeland.
God also promised Abraham a son and great posterity, even though Sarah was barren. A miracle happened and at the age of 100 Abraham became the father of a baby boy, born to a 90 year old woman, who had never been able to bear.
The survival of the Hebrew race in itself is not only a miracle of God, but also a demonstration of the ‘indomitable spirit of man’.
When you consider the great achievements of explorers who have blazed trails across the unknown, men of medicine who have pioneered heart, kidney and lung transplants and the phenomena of communication satellites, travel and space conquest, it simply staggers the imagination!
The ‘indomitable spirit of man’ has rid the world of smallpox, nearly conquered polymialytis and is working on a cure for cancer, genital herpes and AIDS! A medical scientist is anticipating a cure for ALS.
The ‘indomitable spirit of man’ has helped conquer the frozen tundra, inhabit inhospitable jungles, and harness the wind, water and fire, as well as the atom itself!
The driving force of man's spirit has irrigated deserts, reclaimed land from the sea, scaled the highest mountain peaks, defied hostile elements, overcome insurmountable obstacles and reached for the stars!
Man has survived and will continue to survive because built into each of us is a sophisticated defense mechanism, together with a natural desire to stay alive. And an intense yearning to know our Maker!
THERE ARE PITFALLS!
There are pitfalls however; hatred, lust and greed consume mankind through violence and war as well as self destruction by alcoholism, venereal disease and suicide!
The ‘indomitable spirit of man’ has also been harnessed in favour of unrighteous and selfish causes which have resulted in much waste, hurt and bloodshed; through conquest, induced famines and sloth.
Since we are created in God's image however, and He has placed His word in our hearts (conscience) it is no wonder our spirits are indomitable!
Man's incredible recovery after the devastation of Noah's deluge, the scattering of the human race at Babel and the liberation of Israeli slaves from Egyptian bondage under Moses, is astounding. In later years, Christians battled to end slavery in America.
The rebirth of the nation of Israel after nearly 2000 years, and freedom from the tyranny of religious leaders in the middle ages gives great hope to those still in captivity in the world today.
Ever since the demise of communism, supernatural and occult is enjoying a revival! The danger however is that mankind’s spiritual hunger will be absorbed in the pursuit of the devious, dangerous and destructive teachings of men and the doctrine of devils, rather than the clear-cut gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
My crusades in Eastern Europe from 1989 -1995 were greatly blessed by Jesus Christ with multitudes turning to Christ, and the sick healed in His name!
How far can man go in his pursuits, and what will be his end? The danger I perceive, is a parallel to the building of the tower of Babel in 3500 B.C.
‘Man's indomitable spirit’ can become proud, self-sufficient and deceived in seeking to bypass his Maker in his clamor for prestige, position and power!
THAT WOULD BE THE FINAL FOLLY!
Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosever shall lose his life for Me and My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for His own soul?
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8: 35-48)
God’s clear-cut warning of coming judgment upon a spurious, demonic and Christ rejecting world still stands. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! His judgment will come suddenly and time shall be no more. The Day of Judgment will have arrived, with no recourse!
GOD IS STILL CALLING!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30). Let us all adhere to His invitation and receive eternal Life! (John 3:36)
Jesus Christ stated, “I am the Door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to seal, kill and destroy: I am come that they might have Life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 9-11)
The Bible invites us all to believe in Jesus to receive His Life, deliverance from evil and “a peace that passeth all understanding.” (Phil. 4:7). Jesus invites: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him and he with Me. (Rev.3:20).’ Amen.
