This weekend, we watched a documentary entitled "Against All Odds: Israel Survives".  It was an amazing DVD that showed many miracles that God has worked in modern-day Israel for His people.  The opening scene showed a group of Israeli soldiers in the Yom Kippur War stuck at night crossing a field when they suddenly realized that it was full of land mines. They dropped to a crouch and got out their knives to begin moving forward inch by inch.  Each one worked alone and cleared a spot a few inches across with his knife before lifting his foot, thus moving forward at a snail's pace.  Suddenly, a strong wind began blowing and they could do no more than cover their faces from the blinding sand.  When the wind stopped and they lifted their faces, they were incredulous.  The mighty wind had blown all the covering sand off the land mines and they were able to walk across without fear, knowing exactly where to step!  The breath of God had removed the sand from all the land mines as surely as the hand of God had held back the waters of the Red Sea for the children of Israel thousands of years ago!  God still, even today, takes seriously the well-being of His chosen people.  Zechariah 2:8 tells us, "After a period of glory, the LORD Almighty sent me against the nations who oppressed you. For he said, `Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.' "  (Other versions translate "my most precious possession" as "the apple of His eye".)  God takes seriously what nations (and individuals) do to harm his chosen Nation -- in the past as well as in the present.  How thankful I am that I am included in that nation of chosen people.  We are grafted into the nation of Israel, remember. (Romans 11:17)  God is watching over us and takes account of each and every person who sets themselves against us to harm us in any way, just as He does with the nation of Isreal.  We are  "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that (we) may declare the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light."  (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)  And our responsibility?  We must not forget what He has done for us.      

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."  Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

In the documentary, one of the speakers said that a miracle was something that was looked upon differently by each person.  Many would disclaim the miracle by stating that it "just happened".  It was a fluke of nature, or just seemed to occur at the right time.  But, those who believed in their Father God always watching over them and sending angels to rescue them knew differently.  They were the ones who knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God Almighty intervened for them on their behalf.  Even so, we must watch ourselves and our thoughts.  We must be ever mindful to give our God credit when He rescues us ... and not think, "Whew!  I got lucky on that one!"  Remember:  "For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go."  (Psalm 91:11 NLT)  Our lives are divinely protected.  But, we must be mindful to give Him credit and watch the words of our mouths ... and share the accounts of His protection with the world around us.

Father God, I thank You for Your divine protection of my life.  I appreciate all the times You have rescued me ... so many times that I am not even aware of.  Forgive me for taking Your protection for granted.  I thank You that I am a part of the "apple of Your eye".  I praise You that I didn't take Israel's place, but was grafted in to become a part of Your chosen people.  Open my eyes to see You at work in my life.  I don't want to take You for granted.  And, I praise You for Your protection of Israel.  I pray for her today ... for her people and for her leaders.  I pray for Your protection over them physically.  And, Lord God, I pray for miraculous interventions on their behalf.  I praise You for watching over Your people and for bringing them to You -- to belief in Yeshua.  I praise You that You are always at work, loving on us and wooing us to Yourself.  In the Name of Yeshua, I pray.  Amen.