Celebrate the Miracle!
Today’s Text: Psalm 66:5-12
YOM HA’ATZMAUT— Israel Independence Day
The Bible is the FOUNDATION for life.
Yom Ha’atzmaut—Israel Independence Day—celebrates the nation of Israel’s supernatural rebirth and God’s preservation of the Jewish people! The following excerpt from the 66th Psalm is a fitting template for the observance of this uniquely miraculous event:
PSALM 66:5-12
Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.
He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
Through the Red Sea and across the Jordon River, God demonstrated His faithfulness by bringing the nation of Israel into the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants 400 years earlier. The anniversary of Israel’s modern rebirth in 1948 is a testimony of God’s power to keep His promises to the Jewish people. After a Diaspora lasting more than two millennia, God’s Chosen People living in their ancient homeland are not only the patent fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but a vibrant and thriving example of the innovation and resilience!
You are a witness to this reality! Yom Ha’atzmaut may not be on your holiday calendar; but it should be. Use Israel Independence Day as an opportunity to delve into both the fascinating history of ancient Israel as recorded in the Bible and documented in the sands of time, as well as the facts surrounding the miraculous rebirth of the modern nation. If knowledge of the Exodus was enough for the psalmist to say, “Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men,” people of biblical faith living in the 21st century should celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with great rejoicing!
Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken is known for authenticity in communicating biblical truth that makes his presentations relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.
Copyright © Charles E. McCracken 2016, devotional comments only. Repost/Reprint with permission. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Emphasis added.)
IMAGES:
1) Bible opened to Isaiah. By, Ken Horn, [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios
2) Splitting of the Red Sea. By Lidia Kozenitzky, available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Effib. [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios
3) Blowing the Shofar on Israel Independence Day in Yokneam Illit, April 25, 2012. By רועי אדוט (Yokneam City Hall) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios
4) Animated flag of Israel. By Dave Johnston [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Categories: FOUNDATION, Israel's Restoration, The Psalms, Yom Ha'atzmaut
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