Ancient Macedonian leader Alexander the Great had overrun much of the known world by the time he was 32 years old. From his base in the Greek city-state, this young adventurer pushed inward into Europe and Persia and captured territory after territory to list among the subjects of the vast Greek Empire. He was in Africa, easily conquered Egypt, and crossing the Euphrates and rampaging Babylon. Alexander planned to move into the premises of India and later added Carthage, Italy and Spain to his spoils.
Alas, his successes turned his head. He commanded his subjects to pay him divine honors. Furiously drunk, he killed a man who had saved his life. He commanded that all those who entered his presence should bend the knee to him and kiss his feet. Alexander died of fever on 323 BC.
His story is a sad recurring narrative of boastful man who does not recognize God as the Sovereign Lord behind any power. 739 years before Alexander, another man King Saul of Israel with Doeg his Edomite aide had constituted himself into a force that did not reckon with the infinitely greater power of God. Saul sought to kill David who was on the run. Doeg reported an encounter with David and the priests at Nob to Saul who promptly killed those servants of God.
In today’s reading, the Psalmist, David says we who believe in God as the Supreme Lord of the universe should not be afraid of power-drunk men. We should remember what our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 28:18 that “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. And in Isaiah 52:12, God asks: “who art thou that shouldest be afraid of man that shall die and of the son of man which shall be made as grass”. Who, then, is that strong man, bothering your life? Report him to God who promised to punish oppressor.
Thought for the day: Remember Pharaoh in the Red Sea!
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