Today's Scripture Reading (September 14, 2026): Psalm 74
King Alfred ruled in Wessex (the
southern portion of England) from about 871 to 899. Alfred holds the
distinction of being the only English Monarch to have the suffix "the
Great" added to his name, although admittedly he was not known as Alfred
the Great until centuries after his death. Alfred earned the praise of the
people over whom he ruled. Early in his reign, he successfully defended his
kingdom from Viking invasions, and by the end of his reign he was the dominant
ruler of all of England. He called himself the "King of the Anglo-Saxons,"
or the king of England. The people rejoiced in a king who could keep them safe.
However, his greatness did not stop
on the battlefield. He was also an educated man who made great strides in
advancing the social structures of his day. Alfred improved his nation's
military structure, and this 9th-century king must have had a ruthless side,
but he also strengthened the kingdom's legal structure and was known as King of
Great Mercy. These characteristics made him "Great," but they also made
him a true king. Many kings since Alfred have not understood that. Alfred
seemed to understand that the office of king existed for the protection of the
people. People needed someone to rule over them and create for them a world
where they could flourish. Often, we, and most sovereigns, have gotten that
wrong. These Royals have believed that the office was for their own pleasure. That
has never been the point of a monarchy. To be a subject of the king and to see
the king on the move was always supposed to mean only one thing; salvation was
at hand.
So the Psalmist cries out to God
that he has been his king from long ago, and that he has proclaimed him king
because God brings Salvation to the earth. God perfectly fulfills the role of
king. In the midst of all the darkness and all that can go wrong, it is God who
will bring Salvation. The Psalmist realizes that God has done it before and is
fully capable of doing it again. God has the power to save and, therefore, he
will be proclaimed as king.
God is still a King who saves. God cares
about all his people. In the midst of our rebellion, his mercy reigns and his
concern is only for our safety and that we would prosper. For Alfred, it took historians
600 years to proclaim this King of Wessex "Great." For the people of
God, we get to proclaim him as "Great" while he still sits on the
throne.
God is Good, God is Great, and God
is King.
Tomorrow's
Scripture Reading: Psalm 79
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