Greetings! 

I was amazed recently to learn of Israel's ranking in the New York  Stock Exchange. Despite her tiny size and population (only 7 million), Israel has the third largest group of companies traded in New York. Only the United States and China have more! That is incredible. Considering how much of her land was malaria-infested swampland when people started returning in the 1880s and how much is almost an arid wasteland today, her accomplishments are even more remarkable.

Today, Israel leads the world in ingenious farming techniques and in technological advances. No other nation has so vividly lived out the axiom that necessity is the mother of invention. Despite hopeful recent discoveries, Israel is still, for all practical purposes, the only Middle-East nation without massive oil reserves. Yet, Israeli industry is thriving. A "can do" spirit of inventiveness permeates the culture. She puts all her Arab neighbors to shame. None can come close to her achievements.

I was reminded of Israel's amazing accomplishments recently as I watched a video that beautifully showed Israel's technological advances in the last two decades. It speaks for itself. As you watch it, consider, as I did, where this inventive spirit came from. Certainly, it came partly from a survival instinct that has been challenged as much as any nation in history. It was innovate or starve; innovate or be defeated; innovate or die. But I think there's another dimension. I see the hand of God graciously pouring out His wisdom and ingenuity on the people and land He has chosen-the people and land through which He would make Himself known to the world. Everything God does is exceptional, and when He makes a statement, it is always with excellence.

While it is true that most of Israel's people have turned their backs on God, God has not turned His back on them. While there will be consequences for their actions, God continues to display His mercy and grace. As an American, I wonder how much God wants to bless us if we would only turn from our wicked ways and return to Him. Watch this inspiring video.