ARTICLES

As summer begins, Israel is emerging from months of intense conflict with Iran that left deep scars across the nation. Neighborhoods like Beit Shemesh are still recovering from devastating missile strikes that forced many people to evacuate with little warning.

For thousands of displaced residents, life was abruptly uprooted. Families found themselves living in hotels across the country, trying to process loss, trauma, and uncertainty. Children struggled with fear and disrupted routines. Elderly residents were separated from familiar surroundings. Parents carried the heavy burden of staying strong for their families while coping with their own anxiety.

In the midst of that crisis, the Israel Trauma Coalition stepped in to coordinate critical support. Under the leadership of CEO Talia Levanon, the coalition provided psychiatric care, social workers, and safe play spaces for children who needed stability and reassurance. “It was very challenging,” Levanon reflected. “Not only because people were exposed to trauma and loss, but also because we had to secure the right food, the right social workers, and the right therapy for everyone, from 5-month-old infants to 94-year-old seniors.”

Through a vital partnership with CBN Israel, essential gaps were filled. The generosity of friends like you made it possible to care not only for displaced families, but also for the caregivers and first responders who were reaching their limits. Support for trauma therapists and play therapy programs ensured that those on the front lines could continue helping others heal.

Even amid heartbreak, hopefulness took root. “I was filled with hope,” Levanon said. “I felt that we were coping, that we were together.”

Through your compassion and support, healing and stability can return to families across Israel. You can stand in solidarity with them during one of their most difficult seasons and help restore courage and confidence for the days ahead.

Please join us in offering help and hope throughout the country!

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By Stephen Faircloth

Mount Carmel stretches like a green ridge along the Mediterranean coast, where the mountains of Samaria meet the sea. Unlike much of the land of Israel, Carmel is known for its beauty and fertility. Regular rainfall nourishes its slopes, making it a place where crops flourish and life seems secure.

Because of this abundance, Carmel became closely associated with prosperity. The Bible often points to it as a symbol of richness and blessing. Yet this same abundance also made it a center for a dangerous temptation. Just to the north lay Phoenicia, where Ba’al, the god of storms and fertility, was worshiped. On a mountain known for rain and growth, many began to believe that Ba’al was the one providing it.

Over time, the people of Israel drifted. They no longer trusted fully in the Lord. Instead, they tried to secure their future by turning to other sources. If Ba’al controlled the rain, then perhaps he should be honored too. It was a way of easing uncertainty, a way of taking control.

But God had already spoken clearly. He alone would send the rain in its proper time. Trust and obedience were the foundation of their provision. When the people turned away, the rain stopped. A drought settled over the land, exposing the emptiness of their misplaced trust. It was in this moment that Elijah called the nation to Mount Carmel.

The setting was not accidental. This was the very place where Ba’al was believed to rule, where rain and fertility were most evident. There, on that mountain, Elijah confronted the prophets of Ba’al and the wavering hearts of the people: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him.” The challenge was simple, but deeply personal.

The prophets of Ba’al cried out for hours, calling on their god to respond. Nothing happened. No fire. No answer. No power. Then Elijah prayed. God responded immediately. Fire fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice and leaving no doubt. The God of Israel alone is the living God. And after the fire came the rain.

This story is not only about a dramatic moment in Israel’s history. It speaks directly into our lives. We may not stand on Mount Carmel, but we often face the same question. Where do we place our trust? What do we look to for security, provision, and control?

It is easy to rely on what seems visible and dependable. Like the people of Israel, we can be tempted to trust in what promises quick results or certainty. But those things cannot truly sustain us.

God still calls us back to Himself. He invites us to stop wavering and to choose. Not halfway, not with divided hearts, but fully. To trust that He alone provides, He alone sustains, and He alone answers.

Mount Carmel reminds us that God is not silent. He reveals Himself. He responds. And when we turn back to Him, He brings restoration. The question remains: will we trust Him completely?

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15 NASB).

The people of Israel stood trapped. Behind them was Pharaoh’s army. In front of them was the sea. Fear rose quickly, and their voices turned to panic. Had they come this far only to perish in the wilderness?

Moses responded with what sounded like strong faith: “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.” It was a call to trust, to wait, to watch God act. And in many moments, that is exactly what faith looks like.

But this time, God answered differently: “Why are you crying out to Me? Move forward.”

In that moment, God challenged not their fear, but their hesitation. The miracle they needed would not come while they stood still. It would come as they stepped forward.

Imagine the scene. The sea had not yet parted. There was no visible path, no sign of escape. And yet God’s command was clear. Go forward.

Faith, in Scripture, is rarely passive. It is not only believing that God can act. It is moving when He calls, even when the outcome is unseen. The people had to step toward the very obstacle that terrified them. Only then did God make a way.

How often do we find ourselves in similar places? We pray, we wait, we hope for God to intervene. We tell ourselves to be still and trust. Yet sometimes, God is not asking us to stay where we are. He is calling us to take a step.

It may feel uncertain. It may even seem unreasonable. But obedience often begins before clarity.

God did not part the sea first and then invite them to walk through. He called them to move, and as they did, He revealed His power. Their action became the doorway to His deliverance.

This is the tension of faith. We want absolute certainty and assurance before we act; however, God often asks for obedience before we see the miracle He wants to perform.

What is the step in front of you today? Where is God asking you to move forward, even though the way is not yet clear?

The same God who made a path through the sea still leads His people. He is not asking us to create the miracle. He is asking us to trust Him enough to step toward it.

As we move, He makes the way.

PRAYER

Father, give us courage to move forward when You call. Help us trust You even when we cannot see the outcome. Teach us to walk in obedience, believing that You will make a way where there seems to be none. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Shmini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47). Read on Shabbat, April 11, 2026 / 23 Nisan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“For the LORD said, By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:3).

Parashat Shmini marks a pivotal moment in the life of Israel. After days of preparation and consecration, the priests begin their service in the Tabernacle. Aaron offers the sacrifices as commanded, and the presence of God appears to all the people. Fire comes forth from before the LORD and consumes the offering on the altar. The people respond with awe, rejoicing and falling on their faces. It is a moment of divine nearness and unmistakable glory.

Yet within the same chapter, a sobering event unfolds. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offer unauthorized fire before the LORD. Their action, though perhaps well intentioned, does not follow the command given by God. The result is immediate and severe. This contrast between accepted worship and misguided offering reveals the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience. Holiness is not defined by human impulse but by God’s instruction.

Shmini also includes teachings about what is clean and unclean, guiding daily life beyond the Tabernacle. These instructions remind Israel that holiness extends into every area of life. It is not limited to moments of worship but is expressed in choices, habits, and discernment. God calls His people to be set apart, reflecting His character in both sacred and ordinary spaces.

This portion invites reflection on how we approach God. There is joy in His presence and gratitude for His nearness, yet there is also a call to honor Him with sincerity and respect. Worship is not only about emotion or expression. It is shaped by alignment with God’s will. When reverence and devotion come together, they create a space where God’s presence is rightly honored.

Some may be drawn to passion and spontaneity in their spiritual life. This reading encourages balancing that passion with attentiveness to God’s guidance. Others may feel distant or unsure how to approach Him. Shmini offers reassurance that God desires to reveal His presence, while also inviting careful and thoughtful devotion.

As this Shabbat arrives, consider how you are honoring God in both your worship and your daily decisions. Reflect on areas where greater attentiveness or reverence may be needed. Approach Him with humility and gratitude, trusting that His presence brings both joy and transformation. Let your life become an expression of holiness that reflects His glory.

PRAYER
Lord, help me approach You with reverence and sincerity. Teach me to honor You in my worship and in my daily life. May my heart reflect Your holiness and my actions bring You glory. Amen.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6).

In the first century, crucifixion was tragically common. The Romans executed thousands in this brutal way, and at first glance, Jesus’ death may have seemed like just another loss, another crushed hope. For many, it was exactly that. His followers watched in grief, their expectations shattered, their future uncertain. But the story did not end at the cross.

Early on the first day of the week, a group of women went to the tomb, carrying spices to honor Jesus’ body. Instead of closure, they found confusion. The stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. As they stood there wondering, two messengers appeared with a question that still echoes today: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Everything changed in that moment. Jesus had risen. The resurrection became the foundation of the message proclaimed by His followers. It was the unmistakable declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The apostle Paul would later affirm that it was through the resurrection that Jesus was revealed in power for who He truly is.

Even when speaking to audiences who struggled to accept it, Paul would not compromise on this truth. The resurrection was not an optional idea. It was the heart of the good news. Jesus did not remain in the grave. He walked out of the tomb.

For His followers, the resurrection was also deeply personal. The cross had left them discouraged and disoriented. They had hoped He would redeem Israel, but His death seemed to bring those hopes to an end. Yet God turned their despair into joy, their confusion into clarity. He did what only He can do. He brought life out of death. That same power still speaks into our lives today.

There are moments when everything feels lost. Dreams fall apart. Diagnoses shake us. Circumstances seem impossible. In those moments, it can feel like darkness has the final word. But the resurrection reminds us that God specializes in reversal. What appears final to us is not final to Him. Because Jesus rose, we have hope that goes beyond our present circumstances. His victory over death is also a promise. Those who trust in Him share in that victory. Death is no longer the end of the story.

Peter captured this beautifully when he wrote that through the resurrection, we are born again into a living hope, with an inheritance that cannot fade or be taken away. This hope is not fragile or temporary. It is secure because it rests on what God has already done. Even when we face the reality of death, whether our own or that of someone we love, we do not stand without hope. The empty tomb assures us that life has the final word.

No matter how dark the night, God brings light. No matter how impossible the situation, He makes a way. No matter how final something seems, He is still able to bring new life. Why can we trust this? Because Jesus walked out of the tomb.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the hope we have in the resurrection. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, remind us that You bring life out of death. Help us trust You in every circumstance, knowing that Your power and promises never fail. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23). Read on Shabbat, November 29, 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. He was a youth with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father” (Genesis 37:1-2).

The opening of Vayeishev draws us into a family marked by love, rivalry, and fragile relationships. Joseph is young, gifted, and deeply loved by Jacob. His dreams hint at a future shaped by purpose and calling. Yet these very gifts stir resentment in his brothers. Their jealousy grows from quiet frustration to bitter anger, and what begins as a tension within the home becomes a plot that sends Joseph far from everything familiar.

Although Joseph’s journey begins with betrayal and loss, the narrative reveals that God is present even in painful moments. The dreams God placed in Joseph’s heart were not erased by hardship. Instead, the trials he faced would ultimately prepare him for the work God intended. His suffering was not meaningless. His story reminds us that God can work through circumstances that seem destructive to build character, deepen trust, and move His people toward their destiny.

This portion encourages us to consider how God might be working through the unexpected paths of our own lives. Times of disappointment, frustration, rejection, or confusion may feel like detours, but they can become seasons of growth. What looks like a setback may prepare the way for compassion, wisdom, and tools we will later need. When we cannot see the whole story, trust becomes our anchor.

Some may feel today as though they have been pushed into a pit or carried away to places they did not choose. To you, Joseph’s story speaks hope. God has not abandoned you. He is near, working quietly in ways that will one day be clear. And for those in peaceful or stable seasons, Joseph’s early story invites reflection on how we treat others, how we steward our blessings, and how we cultivate humility in times of favor.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on the places where God may be shaping you through challenge or blessing. Look for signs of His work even in difficult moments. Then choose one act of kindness or faithfulness that reflects trust in His purpose. Let your life echo the truth that God remains present in every chapter, guiding all things toward good.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being with me in seasons of joy and in seasons of hardship. Teach me to trust Your purpose when I cannot see the way ahead. Let my life reflect Your faithfulness as You work in every part of my story. Amen.

Life in Israel can be difficult, especially for vulnerable elderly citizens who struggle just to get through each day. For many, the burden of aging is made even heavier by the reality of not having enough to eat.

Nearly one in four seniors in Israel faces food insecurity. Without access to regular, nutritious meals, many experience a decline in health that leads to additional medical expenses. These added costs only deepen the hardship for those already living on the edge.

Many of these individuals are elderly immigrants or Holocaust survivors, living alone in low-income housing. Some are disabled or isolated, with no family nearby to support them. Their government stipend often barely covers rent and medication. Food becomes one of the first things they are forced to sacrifice.

Thanks to compassionate friends like you, help has arrived. Donor support of CBN Israel allows us to work with trusted local partners to deliver hot, nourishing meals directly to elderly men and women who need them most. Prepared meals are collected from kitchens that would otherwise discard the leftovers. After being safely stored overnight, they are delivered the next day to senior centers and residential facilities across the country.

The generosity of caring donors has made it possible to serve thousands of meals each week, four days a week, throughout the year. These meals provide more than nutrition. They offer comfort, dignity, and the reassurance that someone cares.

Your support can also reach others in crisis across Israel. Jewish families returning to their ancestral homeland, single mothers raising children on their own, and those recovering from the trauma of war and terror are receiving critical help because of your compassion. 

Please join us today in bringing hope to those who need it most.

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This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18). Read on Shabbat, November 15, 2025 / 24 Cheshvan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her” (Genesis 23:1-2).

These opening verses remind us that even in endings, God’s purposes continue. Sarah’s death marks both conclusion and beginning. In his grief, Abraham acts with faith and integrity. He secures a burial place for Sarah, the cave of Machpelah, establishing both a memorial and a foothold in the land of promise. Through mourning and faithfulness, the covenant story deepens.

From Sarah’s passing flows the next chapter of God’s plan. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and Rebekah enters the story with courage and generosity. The portion closes with Abraham’s later years and his blessing upon Isaac, showing how life and promise move forward even as one generation fades. This pattern of loss and renewal reminds us that God’s covenant is not limited by time, but continues through faith, obedience, and trust.

In every season, we encounter moments of loss and transition. Loved ones pass, chapters close, and familiar paths come to an end. Yet through these experiences, God invites us to build legacies that endure beyond our lifetime. Grief and faith often coexist. When we surrender what has ended, we make space for what God will begin.

Perhaps you are facing the loss of someone or standing at the edge of a new beginning. Remember that Abraham’s faith did not end with Sarah’s death. He mourned deeply, yet he continued to act, to build, and to trust in the promise. Faith is not denial of sorrow but movement within it, believing that God’s plan continues even through the ache of change.

Spend time this week reflecting on what God may be asking you to release and what He is calling you to nurture. Is there a dream, a memory, or a plan you must lay to rest so that something new can grow? Or is there a promise waiting for your attention and care? 

Let your response mirror the faith of Abraham, who grieved honestly yet trusted fully.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the lives and legacies that have shaped me. Teach me to face both loss and renewal with faith and gratitude. Help me to trust Your purpose through every ending and every beginning. Amen.