May 12

Daily Devotional

Israel Matters Greatly in Today’s World!

Israel holds profound significance for humanity across historical, cultural, religious, geopolitical, and scientific dimensions.

When referenced through the lens of The Living Bible (TLB)—a popular dynamic-equivalent paraphrase of Scripture that seeks to convey the original meaning in clear, contemporary English—the reasons become especially vivid for millions of Christians and Jews who view the Bible as authoritative.

The TLB underscores Israel’s role not as a mere geographic or political entity but as the focal point of God’s covenants, promises, and redemptive plan for the world. This biblical framework, combined with modern realities, explains why Israel commands global attention, influences international policy, and inspires deep passions. To unpack this fully requires examining the scriptural foundation first, then its echoes in history and today.

At the heart of the TLB’s portrayal is the Abrahamic Covenant, established when God called Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland.

In Genesis 12:1-3 TLB, the text states: “God had told Abram, ‘Leave your own country behind you, and your own people, and go to the land I will guide you to. If you do, I will cause you to become the father of a great nation; I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and the entire world will be blessed because of you.’”

This promise extends beyond Abraham to his descendants through Isaac and Jacob (renamed Israel in Genesis 32). God later formalizes it as an everlasting covenant in Genesis 17 TLB, declaring the land of Canaan (modern Israel and surrounding territories) as an inheritance “forever” for Abraham’s offspring. The TLB emphasizes this as unconditional and tied to God’s faithfulness, not human merit.

The TLB further identifies the descendants of Israel as God’s “chosen people.” Deuteronomy 7:6-8 TLB paraphrases it this way: they are a “holy people” and God’s “treasured possession,” selected “not because you were more numerous than any other people” but because of God’s love and His oath to their ancestors. This chosen status carried responsibilities—to receive and live by God’s law at Sinai, to be a light to the nations, and ultimately to bring forth the Messiah, Jesus, who according to the TLB’s New Testament was born in Bethlehem, lived in Galilee, taught in Jerusalem, died on a cross outside the city walls, and rose again there.

John 4:22 TLB records Jesus saying, “Salvation comes from the Jews,” highlighting Israel’s pivotal role in God’s plan of redemption for all humanity.

The prophets in the TLB repeatedly promise restoration after exile. Ezekiel 36 TLB is particularly striking: God declares He will bring the people back to their land “not for your sakes” but for the sake of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations. He promises to cleanse them from sin, give them a new heart and spirit, make the desolate land flourish again with crops and rebuilt cities, and cause the nations to know that He is the Lord.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others echo this regathering. Many readers of the TLB interpret the modern re-establishment of Israel in 1948—after nearly 2,000 years of diaspora following the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD—as a literal fulfillment of these ancient words.

The Six-Day War in 1967, which returned Jerusalem to Jewish control, is often seen in the same light.

The New Testament in the TLB reinforces this enduring importance. Romans 11 TLB addresses the question directly: “Has God rejected His people, the Jews? Of course not!” Paul explains a partial hardening of Israel until the full number of Gentiles comes to faith, after which “all Israel will be saved.” The chapter affirms that God’s gifts and call to Israel are “irrevocable.”

For readers of the TLB who hold a futurist or premillennial view, this means Israel remains central to end-times events described in Revelation, Zechariah, and elsewhere—Jerusalem as a “burdensome stone” to the world (Zechariah 12), nations gathering against it, and ultimate deliverance.

Beyond Scripture, Israel’s importance is historical and tangible. It is the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, who maintained identity and longing for return through centuries of dispersion, persecution, and the Holocaust. The 1948 declaration of independence, recognized by the United Nations, fulfilled a modern Zionist dream rooted in biblical hope.

Today, Israel is the only Jewish-majority state, a parliamentary democracy in a volatile region, and a close U.S. ally. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa—bordering the Mediterranean, with access to the Suez Canal route—makes it geopolitically vital. Control of holy sites in Jerusalem matters to three major faiths: the Western Wall for Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, and the Dome of the Rock/Al-Aqsa for Muslims.

Scientifically and economically, Israel punches far above its weight. Dubbed the “Startup Nation,” it leads in innovation per capita in cybersecurity, water desalination, medical tech (e.g., cancer treatments, COVID vaccines), agriculture (drip irrigation revolutionizing arid farming), and defense systems like Iron Dome. Its GDP per capita rivals many Western nations despite constant security threats. These achievements stem partly from a culture of resilience forged by history and the biblical mandate to “be a blessing.”

Interpretations of Israel’s importance vary. Some Christian traditions (covenant theology) see the church as spiritual Israel, with promises fulfilled symbolically. Others (dispensationalism, popularized by works like Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth) insist on a literal, ongoing role for national Israel in prophecy. Jewish perspectives center on it as the fulfillment of ancient promises and a safe haven after millennia of exile. Muslim views regard Jerusalem as sacred but dispute modern state claims. Politically, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict adds layers of complexity, with legitimate security concerns on one side and aspirations for statehood on the other. Yet the TLB’s emphasis remains on divine faithfulness amid human failings.

In sum, Israel matters because the TLB presents it as the stage where God’s story with humanity unfolds—from covenant to crucifixion to future consummation. Its survival against odds (ancient empires, medieval expulsions, 20th-century genocides, repeated wars) is seen by many as evidence of that faithfulness. Whether through faith, history, innovation, or strategy, Israel shapes global discourse, ethics, and alliances. Dismissing its importance ignores both ancient texts that have influenced billions and contemporary realities that affect energy markets, technology, and peace processes. For TLB readers, blessing or cursing Israel carries eternal weight. In a fractured world, understanding this layered significance fosters informed dialogue rather than oversimplification.

Bob Lewis

Vietnam Vet

Author and Publisher

OurDailyBread101.com

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If you have questions, please call the 24-Hour BGEA Prayer Line at:

(855) 255-PRAY.

CONTINUE:

Let us Praise Him Daily!

A good way to learn to Praise God is to memorize the first 6 Verses of Psalms 148:

1 Praise the Lord, O heavens! Praise Him from the skies!

²Praise Him, all His angels, all the armies of heaven.

³Praise Him, sun and moon and all you twinkling stars.

⁴Praise Him, skies above. Praise Him, vapors high above the clouds.

⁵Let everything He has made give praise to Him. For He issued His command, and they came into being;

^{6 H}e established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked.

PLEASE read the last 6 Chapters of Psalms: 145-150 so that you will learn how to Praise God like David did!

If you don’t want to get your Bible, Here they all are, just click on each Chapter and I will read them to you:

PSALMS 145 PSALMS 146 PSALMS 147 PSALMS148 PSALMS 149 PSALMS 150

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JESUS IS:

THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH,

THE LEADER,

THE ORIGINATOR,

THE LORD & MASTER,

THE SUPREME LEADER,

OUR HOPE,

1ST BORN FROM THE DEAD WITH AN IMMORTAL BODY TO NEVER DIE AGAIN,

THE 1ST FRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION,

HE IS OUR FESTIVAL OF HOPE,

OUR PARDON,

GIVEN 1ST PLACE IN EVERYTHING,

HAS BEEN EXALTED AS SUPREME OVER EVERYTHING,

IS ENOUGH,

THE FULLNESS OF GOD DWELLS IN US THROUGH JESUS,

JESUS HAS BROUGHT US INTO HARMONY WITH GOD,

HE HAS BROKERED A PEACE TREATY BETWEEN GOD & MAN,

YOU WERE BORN ON THE WRONG SIDE, BUT BY ACCEPTING JESUS

YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE NOW,

YOU ARE BEYOND REPROACH,

JESUS WAS THE SOLUTION BEFORE YOU HAD A SIN PROBLEM,

NEVER GET OVER WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR YOU!

NOW:

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH:

TO TEACH US TO LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST!

AMEN!

(You might want to copy those down and memorize them!)

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DAILY BIBLE READING:

>1. Chapter for the DAY in Proverbs;

>2. PLUS: 1 NEW Chapter from the Old Testament AND

>3. PLUS: 1 NEW Chapter from the New Testament Daily:

Chapter 12 in Proverbs for today: (MAY 12 (MT) (ESV)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who hates reproof is stupid.
²A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
³No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
⁴An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
⁵The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
⁷The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.
⁸A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is despised.
⁹Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
¹⁰Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
¹¹Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
¹²Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
¹³An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,^[a]
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
¹⁴From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
¹⁵The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
¹⁶The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
¹⁷Whoever speaks^[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
²¹No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
²²Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.
²³A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
²⁴The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
²⁵Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
²⁶One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[c]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
²⁷Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[d]
²⁸In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

Footnotes

Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth

CHAPTER 10 IN ECCLESIASTES for today: (MAY 12 (TLZ) (ESV)

10 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
    so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
²A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
    but a fool’s heart to the left.
³Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
    and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
⁴If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
    for calmness^[a] will lay great offenses to rest.

⁵There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: ⁶folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. ⁷I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

⁸He who digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
⁹He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
    and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
¹⁰If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
    he must use more strength,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.^[b]
¹¹If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage to the charmer.

¹²The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,^[c]
    but the lips of a fool consume him.
¹³The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
    and the end of his talk is evil madness.
¹⁴A fool multiplies words,
    though no man knows what is to be,
    and who can tell him what will be after him?
¹⁵The toil of a fool wearies him,
    for he does not know the way to the city.

¹⁶Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
    and your princes feast in the morning!
¹⁷Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
    and your princes feast at the proper time,
    for strength, and not for drunkenness!
¹⁸Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through indolence the house leaks.
¹⁹Bread is made for laughter,
    and wine gladdens life,
    and money answers everything.
²⁰Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
    nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
    or some winged creature tell the matter.

Footnotes

Ecclesiastes 10:4 Hebrew healing
Ecclesiastes 10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success
Ecclesiastes 10:12 Or are gracious

Revelation 04

for today: (MAY 12 (NN) ESV)

4 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ²At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. ³And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. ⁴Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. ⁵From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings^[a] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, ⁶and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ⁷the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. ⁸And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

⁹And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Footnotes

Revelation 4:5 Or voices, or sounds

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Please Remember:

“CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD!”

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The Steps to Salvation:

> Repent: Repentance means that you are turning away from sin to turn to Christ. It does NOT mean that you will be perfect.

> Believe/Receive: Salvation is through Faith in Jesus and by the Grace of God. Believing means putting your Faith in Jesus and receiving forgiveness of sin.

>Walk in the Newness of Life: Jesus died so that we might live. We walk in the Newness of Life being Born Again by His Blood.

Additionally, if you feel you need someone to Pray for you,

please call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,

24 Hours/Day, at: 1+855 255 PRAY (This is the same as: 1+855 255 7729).

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GOD THE FATHER IS THE SOVEREIGN KING
AND CREATOR OF THE ENTIRE
UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!

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