A Season Of Miracles

On the evening of December 24th, Jewish people begin remembering the miraculous account of Hanukkah. There are two versions of the miracle of Hanukkah. The first one recalls a miraculous military victory over the Seleucid Empire.   

The second version remembers when the Temple was reclaimed from the Hellenists but they found only one jar of Pure Oil to light the Menorah in which to restore the Temple Service. However, our Lord God miraculously caused the Menorah to stay lit for eight days. During Hanukkah an additional candle on Menorahs world wide are lit for eight consecutive days.

Hanukkah is referred to as a Season of Miracles. However, I believe we can look at the history of Israel and accurately refer to their history as a Season of Miracles. Our Lord God has performed miracle after miracle for Israel and the Jewish people. For our message this week, we will look at just a few of these God ordained miracles.

Isaiah 66:8 says, "Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?" Yes, a nation was born in a single day in May of 1948 - Israel. This event is a miracle of God's word coming true before our eyes as every miracle that follows.

Isaiah 11:12 says, "He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." Over the last 100 years, Jews have returned to Israel from Asia, Russia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Hebrew is one of the world's oldest languages. It ceased to be spoken around 250 BC. However, Zephaniah prophesied that God would return to His people a pure language, Hebrew was reborn as their language in the 19th century.

Israel has defeated her enemies in no less than four major wars. Each time they won against tremendous odds. A current example happened during the war with Hamas in Gaza. A missile was fired from Gaza toward Tel Aviv and the Iron Dome Defense System failed three times to shoot the missile down. Suddenly and miraculously a huge wind blew the missile off course and into the sea.   

When the Jewish people started returning to Israel they found swamps and barren deserts. Isaiah 35:1 says, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." Today, Israel is one of the world's leading fresh citrus producers and exporters. Additionally, they produce enough food for their own citizens but also export 20% of their produce.

Yes, our Lord God is a miracle working God for Israel but also for all of His people. This very special time of the year, I pray for all to be praising our Lord God with thankful hearts for we all live in a Season of Miracles.  

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank