In regards to the struggle for power, Langston Hughes stated: "Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will.". Of course, he was speaking about the oppression of people in America by the white elite. The organization of those in the abolitionist movement and of those in the suffrage movement, was necessary in order for power to concede the abolition of slavery or voting rights to women. The organization demands and the power conceded, slowly but surely. I see another lesson in this quote.
Through Pharoah's talks with Moses, we see that demands had to be constant. For even though the cause is righteous, power concedes nothing without a consistent, demand. We must also realize the strength of will presented in Moses, probably fostered by God. Even though seemingly good compromises were made by the Pharaoh, Moses' requests stayed true to what God required of him.
In being freed from the power of sin, we present ourselves before ourselves (In the person of Christ) and ask, no, demand freedom from desires, habits and traditions that are unlike God. We wish to truly and freely worship God as he has commanded. We must be consistent. That means everyday we make the same demand: Let me Go so that I can worship God. Constant and consistent. We must also be uncompromising. There can be no middle ground. We must not settle for the compromise of double mindedness or the compromise of silence or the compromise of peer pressure. We must be like Moses who made a strong demand without compromise.
Langston Hughes would not look at black people today and say the goal has been attained. Our complacency allows us to settle for the scraps that the power allows us to have. Mr. Hughes would require more demands on our self and the power. I believe Jesus also wants to see much more of a demand from the powers of darkness. The powers that be are terrible and are willing to compromise so that they remain in power. It's our duty to stay constant and compromise, for that is the demand that the power concedes to.
Through Pharoah's talks with Moses, we see that demands had to be constant. For even though the cause is righteous, power concedes nothing without a consistent, demand. We must also realize the strength of will presented in Moses, probably fostered by God. Even though seemingly good compromises were made by the Pharaoh, Moses' requests stayed true to what God required of him.
In being freed from the power of sin, we present ourselves before ourselves (In the person of Christ) and ask, no, demand freedom from desires, habits and traditions that are unlike God. We wish to truly and freely worship God as he has commanded. We must be consistent. That means everyday we make the same demand: Let me Go so that I can worship God. Constant and consistent. We must also be uncompromising. There can be no middle ground. We must not settle for the compromise of double mindedness or the compromise of silence or the compromise of peer pressure. We must be like Moses who made a strong demand without compromise.
Langston Hughes would not look at black people today and say the goal has been attained. Our complacency allows us to settle for the scraps that the power allows us to have. Mr. Hughes would require more demands on our self and the power. I believe Jesus also wants to see much more of a demand from the powers of darkness. The powers that be are terrible and are willing to compromise so that they remain in power. It's our duty to stay constant and compromise, for that is the demand that the power concedes to.
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