Anything is possible . . .

Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC. He notably tamed a horse when he was 13, convincing evidence of his ambition and ability. Seven years later, he succeeded his father Philip II to the throne. Most of his ruling years were spent on a military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa. By the age of 30, he created one of the largest empires of the ancient world stretching from Greece to northwestern India. He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history's most successful military commanders.

What are the odds of such a thing? I cannot imagine this happening in our day. Yet it happened then because God had a plan. God wanted a united world and a common language, and because of this brave young man,

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law . . . (Galatians 4:4)

Jesus was born. The time was right. The world was united to the point that most people understood Greek, and the good news of God’s grace could be shared among them freely. Even for those who spoke other languages, God gathered them together soon after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and had His disciples speak in other tongues (other languages) so all could hear the Gospel. Anything is possible with God.

I cannot help but connect this with the events in our world. What is God up to? We have tyrants and evil leaders. We have ambitious politicians that are hated or tolerated. Our world seems ripe for someone to come with strong leadership abilities to take over and ‘fix’ the mess it is in. Is that what God is planning?

I’ve no idea of what tomorrow’s headlines will be. However, looking at the way God prepared the world for the arrival of His Son, I’m not anxious about the news or the mismanagement that seems to prevail. God can bring diverse cultures under one ruling power if He so wishes, even under the rule of a mere youth. Alexander proves God can do whatever He wants to fit with His purposes.

Some interpret the Bible prophesies to mean we will experience a one-world leader. Others have varying ideas about the ‘end times’ and the fate of our civilization. Whatever comes next should not produce anxiety for anyone who knows the power of God. His plan will prevail and because He is good, gracious and merciful, I am clearly in favor of trusting Him.

^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, the end of this age seems nearer now than it did a few years ago because of all the disasters and general lack of righteousness that is all around us, but I don’t know that for certain. What I do know is that You are God and You are a good, good Father. I can trust You to work out Your plan. Besides, I’ve read Your book and at the end, Jesus wins. Your people win. We live forever with You in a new heaven and new earth. You don’t need a twenty-year-old warrior to bring it to pass either. It will happen because You willingly gave Your life more than two thousand years ago . . .

You were in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Yourself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, You humbled Yourself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted You and bestowed on You the name that is above every name, so that at Your name every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5–11)

 Amen!