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By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The American bald eagle—renowned as one of the world’s most iconic birds—serves as a powerful symbol of courage and resilience. When storms brew overhead, unleashing thunder and lightning, eagles do not retreat to safety like many other birds. Instead, both males and females fly straight into the heart of the tempest.

Their extraordinary ability to harness the wind’s power propels them higher than usual, lifting them into calmer air. From this vantage point, their view is clearer, and their flight becomes smoother. Rather than evading storms, eagles confront them head-on. In much the same spirit, the responses to the recent, catastrophic Guadalupe River storm in Texas—along with Israel’s Operation Rising Lion and the United States’ Operation Midnight Hammer—vividly exemplify the resilience and strength embodied by eagles.

The aftermath of the deadly flood that began in the dark, early hours of July 4th is heartbreaking. At this writing, at least 110 people have lost their lives, and 171 remain missing.

Residents of the usually scenic Texas Hill Country are no strangers to flooding—hence the region’s reputation as “Flash Flood Alley”—but this deluge defies description. Reports indicate that the National Weather Service (NWS) issued timely warnings. Janice Dean, Fox News senior meteorologist, posted on X: “There were warnings. The NWS offices were staffed. It came overnight on a holiday weekend in a flood-prone area. A worst-case scenario in terms of timing and magnitude.”  

Yet even amid this unprecedented disaster, critics have found ways to politicize the tragedy, blaming President Trump for events beyond any human control. In a particularly egregious example, Texas pediatrician Dr. Christina Propst posted a cruel remark claiming that flood victims, including children, were Trump supporters who got “what they voted for.” After immense backlash, Blue Fish Pediatrics in Houston rightly terminated her employment. When a pediatric physician expresses such hatred toward children, it underscores how damaging political agendas can become when they eclipse basic compassion.

Despite the politicization of this heartrending disaster, countless workers and volunteers—like eagles flying into the storm—are placing themselves in hazardous areas to help those in need. With support from Texas National Guard helicopters and U.S. Coast Guard airlifts, volunteers have responded in an inspiring outpouring of compassion. The world is witnessing Americans aiding one another on rescue missions large and small, with teams trekking through rough terrain to deliver help wherever possible. The Mountain Mules, who famously navigated treacherous mountain passes in western North Carolina to deliver supplies after Hurricane Helene, are now on the ground in Texas, leading the way once more.

Isaiah 40:31 offers a perfect prayer for everyone affected by the Texas river tragedy: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  

Other symbols of eagles flying into a different kind of storm are the American and Israeli pilots whose courage deserves the world’s applause.

Their successes in the storms of war are nothing short of remarkable. The U.S. and Israeli Air Forces have flown with precision into enemy territories over Iran and its proxies. Despite differing opinions about these operations’ outcomes, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been at least temporarily restrained from unleashing its campaign of terror against the wider world. The Islamic regime remains focused on its long-standing goal: re-establishing a caliphate to impose cruel Shia religious oppression.

Though the current conflict is called the Twelve Day War, Iran effectively launched hostilities in 1979 by capturing and holding U.S. Embassy staff as hostages for 444 days. After overthrowing the Persian government, the Shia ayatollahs began oppressing their own population and arming terror proxies to attack Israel. In reality, the so-called Twelve Day War could more accurately be called the Forty-Six Year War. It began in 1979—and, as history and Scripture remind us, it has not yet ended.

Since declaring its modern independence in 1948, Israel—now 77 years strong—has brought immeasurable blessings to the world through her remarkable innovation, resilience, and perseverance. God’s promise in Amos 9:15 remains clear: “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them.” His promise is permanent, with no future exile or relocation.

Nevertheless, choosing to trust our faithful Father God is often difficult amid storms of lawlessness, antisemitism, and national disasters at home and abroad. While Israel and Middle East turmoil dominate headlines—much of it filled with distortion—the lawlessness and disinformation are not only antisemitic but also deeply anti-Christian.

Today, an estimated 340 million Christians face widespread persecution. Nigeria, known as “the world’s center of Christian martyrs,” has seen at least 52,250 Christians murdered over the past 14 years, according to the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law. Hatred against Jews continues to escalate worldwide in many forms. Since October 7, 2023, at least 17 synagogues have been targeted by arsonists, and countless acts of hatred and intimidation against the Jewish people have continued to surge.

President Trump responded swiftly, signing a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County and offering these words of support: “God bless all of the people who have gone through so much.” He plans to visit Texas as early as tomorrow (Friday), provided his arrival does not disrupt recovery efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity, stating: “My wife Sara and I and all of Israel are praying for the Great State of Texas. Israel knows disaster—we’ve lived through war, fire, and flood. Dear friends, we stand with you!”

As a Christian community, we must uphold Israel in prayer and provide tangible support through trusted Christian and Jewish organizations. Let us draw inspiration from the eagle—soaring above storms—and strengthen our resolve to stand with Texas and Israel alike.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer for rescuers in Texas, that they might “soar on wings like eagles.”

Prayer Points:

• Pray for families in shock who have lost loved ones and friends.
• Pray for strength for all rescuers and compassionate providers.
• Pray for donations to meet needs of victims who have no homes.  
• Pray for the restoration of kindness among those who are hard-hearted toward Israel, Jews, and persecuted Christians.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.