God
loves Israel, regardless of their behavior toward Him, because of His promise
to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He continually calls Israel to return to Him, to exalt
His name and to keep His Word (Psalm 69:35-36).
He never abandoned Israel, even when she was not a
nation, because it pleases Him to make them a nation for His great name's sake
(Isaiah 12:22). This increases our faith in God's faithfulness.
God redeemed Israel continually through the
generations to make a name for Himself, as He did great and mighty things for
them. He even divided the waters before them (2 Samuel 7:23, 26).
He
restored part of the Promised Land to Israel over and over through their
history; and again in 1948, after the great persecution and judgement He sent
on them because of their unbelief (2 Kings 21:4, 23:27).
He
formerly scattered them among the nations of the earth, as He prophesied that
He would; but now He calls them back to Himself for His own name's sake
(Nehemiah 1:9; Jeremiah 3:17).
People
wonder how God can turn to the Gentiles and shut up His Kingdom to Israel for 2000
years; but He gave Israel 4,000 years to turn their hearts to Him.
Even
now, many Jews return to God and find completion through Jesus Christ. For His
name's sake, He will use the Great Tribulation to give them yet another chance to
take refuge in His name (Jeremiah 23:6, 33:9, 50:34; Micah 5:4; Zephaniah
3:9,12; 13:9).
Some
people are blinded to God's true character and provision by Satan's lies and
they curse Him, because they see only the trials, which come on us on this
earth (Revelation 16:9).
Yet,
people from every tribe, tongue and nation of the earth come before Him to
worship His name and glorify Him, because of the blessings God pours out on His
people (Revelations 15:4).
Prayer:
Father
God, you are jealous over your people who glory in Your holy name (Exodus
34:14). Our heart is glad continually over Your provision for us in our life on
this earth (1 Chronicles 16:10). We boast in You so that the humble will hear
about Your provision in our life and come to You (Psalm 34:2).
There
is salvation in no other name or means than Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). As the
perfect Lamb, He is the only way, truth and life (John 14:6). Whatever we ask
in Your name, in order to perform the works You created us to do for Your
glory, You will supply (John 14:13). There is no God like You, and we exalt
Your name, which is great in power and might (Jeremiah 10:6).
Thought
for the Day:
Jesus,
the true King of Israel, is most highly exalted; and God bestowed on Him the
name, which is above every other name; so that at His name, everyone who is in
Heaven, on the earth and even under the earth will bow their knee to Him. - Philippians
2:9-11
Many thanks to Matt Milligan Photography for the photo.
http://www.mattmilliganphotography.com/
