ARTICLES

For nearly half a century, the people of Iran have lived under a theocratic regime that has brought increasing hardship to its own citizens while pouring enormous resources into terrorism, proxy wars, and military ambitions abroad.

Today, ordinary Iranians are courageously speaking out. Their stories provide a sobering glimpse into daily life under the Islamic Regime and remind the world that its greatest victims are often the Iranian people themselves.

Meanwhile, Israel continues fighting an existential war to protect its diverse population, including Jews, Israeli Arabs, Druze, Bedouins, Ethiopians, Christians, and many others. The contrast could hardly be greater. While Israel defends the freedoms of its citizens, Iran’s rulers continue tightening their grip on a nation desperate for relief.

The voices emerging from Iran should not be ignored. They are a call for people of goodwill to pray, remain informed, and stand against tyranny. This summer, millions of Iranians have endured widespread power outages and severe water shortages.

In Khuzestan Province, where temperatures regularly soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, residents report recurring power outages lasting two hours or more during the most dangerous hours of the day. In Islamshahr, outside Tehran, electricity has reportedly been unavailable for as long as four hours at a time. Residents of Ilam Province warn that continued blackouts could spark widespread protests.

In the city of Pardis, elevators in high-rise apartment buildings stop functioning whenever electricity fails. One frustrated resident asked, “How are we supposed to climb all these stairs?”

For elderly citizens and people living with disabilities, the hardships are especially severe.

One Iranian expressed a fear shared by many: “We are more afraid of the regime staying.”

Another citizen observed that prolonged power outages place countless lives at risk because patients who depend on ventilators or refrigerated medications have no reliable backup. As one student explained: “Ask the patients who rely on ventilators in their homes or those storing vital medicines in refrigerators. For them, a power cut isn’t a delayed exam. It’s a matter of life or death.”

Iran’s water crisis is equally alarming. Following the country’s worst drought in four decades, reservoirs remain dangerously depleted. Last year, TIME described Iran’s growing water shortage as one of the nation’s greatest long-term threats, and conditions remain dire.

Families in communities such as Boumehen report receiving running water only two days each week, even while caring for seriously ill relatives. Residents of Shahriar and Qods have pleaded with authorities, reminding them that “water is a basic necessity, not a luxury.”

Approximately 10,000 people across twenty villages in southern Iran have reportedly lost access to reliable water supplies following damage to the Bunji desalination pumping facility and its supporting electrical infrastructure. Aging transmission systems, deteriorating facilities, years of underinvestment, and poor government management have only intensified the crisis.

Iran’s state-controlled media has blamed the United States for the damage to the Bunji facility, describing it as a terrorist attack. Those claims, however, have not been independently verified by Western or neutral sources.

Whatever the immediate cause, the broader reality is unmistakable. Years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and misplaced national priorities have left millions of ordinary Iranians struggling to meet basic needs.

Food shortages have added another painful burden. Residents in Zahedan describe staple foods becoming increasingly unaffordable. Rice, cooking oil, eggs, and other necessities continue rising in price, leaving many families uncertain how they will provide their next meal.

One resident lamented, “We go to sleep and wake up to everything being twice as expensive.”

Iran’s dependence on imported food makes these challenges even more precarious. The country imports approximately 77 percent of its rice, 89 percent of its corn, 95 percent of its soybeans, and 91 percent of its vegetable oils. Any disruption to regional shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, places additional pressure on an already fragile food supply.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently observed, “Imagine if Iran had spent its wealth, billions of dollars, helping the people of Iran instead of funding terrorists and building weapons.”

Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren has likewise warned against trusting the regime’s repeated promises.

“We have decades of evidence showing that the regime lies, cheats, and deceives and will not abide by any agreement,” he explained. “The United States and Israel cannot base their security on promises from Tehran.”

He added that Iran’s leaders often view agreements as tactical pauses rather than lasting commitments. Marziyeh Amirizadeh understands this reality firsthand. A Christian imprisoned under Iran’s Islamic Regime before eventually finding refuge in the United States, she warns that the regime “does not negotiate in good faith. It negotiates for survival.”

Yet she also offers an important reminder. The Iranian people are not their government. She has repeatedly emphasized that many Iranians admire Israel and long for peace, even as tens of thousands have suffered imprisonment, persecution, or death under the regime during the past forty-seven years.

As followers of Jesus, how should we respond? Scripture calls us not only to recognize suffering but also to act with compassion. Proverbs 24:11-12 reminds us: “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?” Prayer and action belong together.

We can pray faithfully for the Iranian people, seek truth from reliable sources, reject misinformation, and share accurate information that exposes oppression while pointing to hope.

Above all, we can pray that millions more Iranians will encounter Jesus Christ, whose truth alone brings lasting freedom.

Our CBN Israel team welcomes you to join us in prayer this week.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the defeat of the Islamic Regime and for freedom, justice, and hope for the Iranian people.
• Pray that millions of Iranians will encounter Jesus Christ and find lasting peace through Him.
• Pray that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and secure for international commerce.
• Pray for the protection, wisdom, and success of American and Israeli military personnel serving during this critical time.

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 (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

Ziva has always lived in a close-knit neighborhood in Beit Shemesh, where families share life’s joys and burdens. That sense of community was shattered in March 2026 when an Iranian ballistic missile struck her area directly, devastating blocks of apartment buildings and displacing hundreds of residents.

At first, Ziva thought the blast was a construction accident. Then the horrifying reality became clear. Nine people were killed, including a member of her extended family. Many others, including children, were rushed to hospitals for surgery after suffering severe injuries. The neighborhood she once knew was left covered in rubble and broken glass.

For Ziva, the trauma has been overwhelming. A mother of four children with special needs, she now struggles with post-traumatic stress while trying to care for her family. The explosion left her too shaken to immediately return to her apartment. “I don’t have the headspace,” she admitted, describing the urgent need for food, clothing, and a safe roof over their heads.

During that unsettling time, sirens continued to sound across Israel, and fear remained a daily reality for families like hers. With over 250 people displaced and entire buildings deemed unsafe, the path forward felt uncertain.

But in the midst of this crisis, caring and compassionate friends like you were there.

Thanks to the support of generous donors, CBN Israel immediately reached out to Beit Shemesh to provide urgent relief. Food, emergency supplies, and practical assistance were given to families who had lost so much in a single moment. The steadfast partnership of friends like you became a lifeline for Ziva and those facing sudden homelessness and trauma.

Your gifts to CBN Israel can bring hope and stability to families torn apart by war. Mothers, children, and entire communities can receive the help they desperately need as they begin the long process of rebuilding.

Please join us today in standing with Israel’s families in their time of need.

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

Nestled along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the ancient village of Capernaum was once a quiet fishing town that became a pivotal center for Jesus’ ministry, where He taught His fellow Jews and performed many remarkable miracles.

Although largely unknown in earlier historical records, Capernaum bursts onto the biblical scene in the Gospels as a place of extraordinary significance. Apart from Jerusalem, no other location is mentioned more frequently. Referred to by Matthew as Jesus’ “own city” (Matthew 9:1), it became His home base during His Galilean ministry, a hub for healing, teaching, and transformation.

Here, Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the paralyzed, and restored the broken. He taught in the synagogue, even honoring the faith of a Roman centurion who had helped build it (Luke 7:5). In Capernaum, divine power met human need on a daily basis.

Modern archaeological discoveries have brought new depth to our understanding of this sacred village. Excavations have revealed first-century homes built in a clustered courtyard style known as an insula, where multiple generations lived and worked around shared space. These homes help us visualize Gospel scenes: friends lowering a paralytic through a roof, neighbors crowding doorways to hear Jesus speak, meals shared in intimate settings.

The synagogue standing today, made of bright limestone, was likely constructed centuries after Jesus walked its streets. But beneath its foundation, black basalt stones hint at an earlier structure, possibly the synagogue where Jesus Himself once read and taught. Nearby, under a modern church, lie the remains of an ancient house that transitioned into a place of worship by early Christians, possibly the very home of Simon Peter.

While time has worn away the original walls, the message of Capernaum remains: God stepped into ordinary places. He didn’t choose temples of grandeur, but village homes and fishing docks to unveil His glory. He moved into the rhythms of daily life, healing, teaching, forgiving, and calling people to follow Him.

Capernaum invites us to see our own spaces, our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods, as potential places where heaven still touches earth. The same Jesus who walked through its dusty paths walks with us today, desiring to heal, to teach, and to dwell among His people.

Where has Jesus made His home in your life? Are you open to Him working through the everyday spaces around you? What would it look like for your home or community to become a modern-day Capernaum, a place of healing, hope, and holy presence?

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.

“As He drew near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what this meant. ‘Jesus the Nazarene is passing by,’ they told him. So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ … Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he drew near, He asked him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘I want to see!’ ‘Receive your sight!’ Jesus told him” (Luke 18:35-42).

As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, He was surrounded by noise, movement, and expectation. Crowds traveled with Him, filled with anticipation about what He might do next. His disciples walked beside Him, likely still hoping for the immediate arrival of God’s kingdom.

But Jesus Himself knew where the road was leading. He was moving steadily toward the cross. Every step brought Him closer to suffering, rejection, and sacrifice. The weight of that calling would have consumed most people. It would have been easy to focus only on what lay ahead.

And yet, in the middle of that journey, a voice broke through the noise. A blind man, sitting by the roadside, cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He was unseen by most, dismissed by others, and even told to be quiet. To the crowd, he was an interruption. But not to Jesus. Jesus stopped.

In that simple act, we see something extraordinary. The Savior of the world, on His way to accomplish the greatest act in history, paused for one broken man on the side of the road. He was not too busy. Not too focused. Not too important. He heard, and He responded.

Jesus called the man to come near and asked a question that might seem obvious: “What do you want Me to do for you?” The man’s answer was simple and direct. “Lord, I want to see.” And Jesus restored his sight.

This moment reveals the heart of Christ. He is not only concerned with the grand, redemptive plan unfolding on a global scale. He is attentive to the individual, to the overlooked, to the one who cries out in desperation. It also challenges us. How often do we walk past those in need? How often are we so focused on our responsibilities, our goals, even our service to God, that we fail to notice the person right in front of us?

The blind man could not see Jesus, but he recognized Him. And in his need, he called out. His persistence overcame the resistance of the crowd, and his faith met the compassion of Christ. There are people all around us who are hurting, waiting, hoping someone will notice. They may not always speak loudly, but their need is real.

The question is not whether those cries exist. The question is whether we are listening. To follow Jesus is to reflect His heart. It is to slow down, to pay attention, and to be willing to stop when others would keep walking. It is to see people not as interruptions, but as opportunities to extend mercy and compassion.

Jesus stopped for one, and in doing so, He showed us how to live. Who might God be calling you to notice today? Where might He be asking you to pause, to listen, and to respond? Sometimes the most meaningful moments are found when we are willing to stop.

PRAYER

Father, open our eyes to see those around us who are hurting. Help us not to be so distracted that we miss their cries. Give us hearts like Jesus, willing to stop, listen, and respond with compassion and love. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22). Read on Shabbat, July 18, 2026 / 4 Av 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“See, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and their offspring after them” (Deuteronomy 1:8).

As Moses begins his final address to Israel, he looks back before calling the people forward. He recounts their journey through the wilderness, reminding them of both God’s faithfulness and their own failures. The generation standing before him is not the same one that left Egypt, yet they must learn from the past if they are to walk faithfully into the future. God’s promises remain certain, but His people must respond with trust and obedience.

The opening chapters of Deuteronomy reveal that remembering is a spiritual discipline. Moses recalls missed opportunities, seasons of rebellion, and moments when fear kept Israel from embracing God’s promises. Yet he also reminds them that the Lord never abandoned them. He guided them through the wilderness, provided for their needs, defeated their enemies, and brought them to the threshold of the inheritance He had prepared from the beginning.

The same pattern is often true in our own lives. Looking back is valuable when it strengthens our confidence in God’s faithfulness rather than trapping us in regret. Past disappointments can become teachers instead of prisons. God’s grace enables us to acknowledge where we have fallen short while continuing to move toward the future He has prepared for us.

Every believer eventually stands at a place where faith requires action. There are times to remember and times to move forward. Fear often magnifies the obstacles before us, but faith remembers the God who has already carried us through countless challenges. The One who was faithful yesterday remains faithful today and will continue to be faithful tomorrow.

As you reflect during this Shabbat, consider the ways God has led you through previous seasons. Thank Him for His patience, His provision, and His mercy. Then ask Him for the courage to step confidently into whatever lies ahead. Like Israel standing on the edge of the Promised Land, we are invited to trust the God who always fulfills His word and faithfully leads His people forward.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout every season of my life. Help me learn from the past without being held captive by it. Give me courage to trust Your promises, walk in obedience, and follow wherever You lead. Amen.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The sudden homegoing of Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11, 2026, has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from across America and around the world. Leaders, colleagues, and ordinary citizens are remembering a man whose life reflected the enduring motto of his beloved South Carolina: “While I Breathe, I Hope.”

That hope was not merely a slogan. It was the defining theme of Graham’s life.

While attending the University of South Carolina, Graham experienced unimaginable loss when both of his parents died within a short period of time. His younger sister, Darline, was only twelve years old. After graduating from law school, he joined the U.S. Air Force and became her legal guardian, assuming the responsibilities of both brother and parent. That decision revealed the character that would define his life: faithfulness, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to others.

As a native South Carolinian who lived in the Palmetto State on and off for forty years, I am still processing the shock of his passing. Like so many others, I have admired his remarkable journey from personal tragedy to a lifetime of public service.

Graham’s career reflected both his love for his country and his determination to defend it. He served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the South Carolina Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Colonel after eighteen years of military service. He later served in the South Carolina House of Representatives before representing the state’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2003, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he would serve for more than two decades.

His intelligence, wit, humility, and command of complex policy issues earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Throughout his career, Graham became one of America’s most influential voices on national security, foreign policy, judicial affairs, support for Israel, and the protection of unborn life.

Even during his final days, he remained fully engaged in public service.

Just before his passing, Senator Graham traveled to Ukraine, where leaders expressed deep appreciation for his steadfast advocacy. While there, he celebrated his seventy-first birthday and announced an agreement with the White House on new sanctions against Russia backed by President Trump. After returning to Washington, D.C., he spoke with the President before passing away later that night. In the days that followed, members of both political parties rallied behind the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act, viewing its passage as one way to honor his enduring legacy.

Yet Graham’s influence reached far beyond a single piece of legislation.

His public life consistently reflected South Carolina’s motto by offering hope through principled leadership. He stood firmly with the world’s only Jewish state, opposed Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, advocated for the freedom of the Iranian people, defended unborn children, and championed the rights of the Catawba Indian Nation. Whether addressing international crises or serving constituents at home, he sought to strengthen the principles of freedom, justice, and human dignity.

I had the privilege of witnessing part of that legacy firsthand.

From 2007 until my retirement in 2016, I served as the Southeast Regional Christian Outreach Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). During those years, I observed Senator Graham’s unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Following his passing, AIPAC released a moving tribute:

“We mourn the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, a great friend and true champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship. His many visits to Israel and his love for the Israeli people reflected not just a policy position, but a deep personal connection to the Jewish state and its citizens. Senator Graham played a vital role in leading the fight to impose sanctions that hold Iran and its proxies accountable.”

That tribute reflects what many of us witnessed over the years.

Senator Graham consistently worked to strengthen bipartisan support for Israel’s security and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also understood the importance of organizations like AIPAC, recognizing that its millions of members and supporters are American citizens who advocate for the U.S.-Israel alliance.

His legislative record reflected that commitment.

Highlights of Senator Graham’s Legislative Legacy

Support for Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
From the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 through the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, Graham consistently supported recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital.

Opposition to the BDS Movement
Graham strongly backed the Israel Anti-Boycott Act and the Combating BDS Act, opposing efforts to isolate Israel through economic boycotts. South Carolina became the first state to enact anti-BDS legislation, encouraging many others to follow.

The Taylor Force Act
Named after West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran Taylor Force, who was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist while visiting Israel in 2016, this law halted certain U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority while its “pay-to-slay” program continued rewarding acts of terrorism.

Iran Sanctions and Opposition to the JCPOA
Graham remained one of Congress’s strongest advocates for sanctions against Iran and one of the most outspoken opponents of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, arguing that it failed to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Pro-Life Leadership
Throughout his Senate career, Graham repeatedly introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. His convictions reflected both his Christian faith and his belief that every human life possesses inherent dignity. As he once observed, “The United States should not be in that club” of nations permitting late-term abortions.

As tributes continued pouring in, President Trump called Graham “one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known…a true American patriot,” ordering American flags flown at half-staff in his honor.

My dear friend Marziyeh Amirizadeh, who endured imprisonment under Iran’s Islamic regime before immigrating to America, also shared a moving reflection:

“As an Iranian who survived persecution under the Islamic regime, I was deeply grateful for his unwavering support in our fight for freedom. Millions of Iranians loved and respected him, affectionately calling him ‘Uncle Lindsey.’ He understood the suffering of my people and never hesitated to speak out against tyranny.”

Israel likewise mourned the loss of one of its most faithful friends.

During Senator Graham’s January 2024 visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza following the October 7 Hamas massacre, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana thanked him for his steadfast support. Graham responded with characteristic moral clarity:

“The brutality here was so strong and so visible, making it impossible for Israel not to respond. The destruction of Hamas is non-negotiable.”

Those words reflected the consistency that marked his public life.

One truth stands above all others: Senator Lindsey Graham lived with courage, conviction, and a profound sense of duty. He defended America’s security, stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel, advocated for unborn children, supported oppressed peoples seeking freedom, and remained guided by deeply held convictions rather than political convenience.

His legacy will be measured not only by legislation passed or speeches delivered, but by lives strengthened, alliances reinforced, and freedoms defended.

Following his passing, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as interim United States Senator, a tribute President Trump described as “a fabulous honor to Lindsey, who loved her dearly.”

It seems especially fitting that the sister he sacrificially cared for as a young man now carries forward a portion of his life’s work in public service.

South Carolina’s motto declares, “While I Breathe, I Hope.”

Senator Lindsey Graham spent his life doing exactly that.

Now that his earthly race is complete, I imagine him reunited with his parents and hearing the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come and share your Master’s happiness.”

Our CBN Israel team invites you to join us in prayer as we remember Senator Graham’s life and legacy.

Prayer Points

• Pray for God’s comfort and peace for Senator Graham’s sister, Darline, and their entire family.
• Pray for strength and encouragement for his devoted staff in Washington and South Carolina as they mourn his loss.
• Pray for Senator Tim Scott, Trey Gowdy, and Senator Graham’s many friends and colleagues as they continue the work they shared together.
• Pray for wisdom, discernment, and strength for Darline Graham Nordone as she serves South Carolina during this season of transition.

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 (ACLI). Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection. Her devotionals and articles also appear on her Substack, The Eclectic Evangelical. She serves on the Advisory Board of NewPersia.org and on the advisory committee of RootAndBranchIsrael.com. Having traveled to Israel regularly since 1990, Arlene participates in Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits alongside members of Christian media from around the world. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. In May 2026, The White Rose Society honored Arlene as a non-Jewish individual who stands with the Jewish people.

Naomi’s life in Jerusalem is filled with responsibility and sacrifice. As a single mother of three, she works tirelessly to provide not only for her children, but also for her disabled mother who fled the war in Ukraine. As Israel faced an intense war with Iran and daily missile sirens disrupted normal life, Naomi’s fragile stability was shaken once again. Every day felt like a balancing act between survival and exhaustion.

The family of five lives in a tiny two-bedroom apartment. “My mother has one bedroom, and my daughters share the other,” Naomi explained. “My son and I sleep on the couch in the living room.” When sirens sounded, they had to rush together to safety, crowding into the safest space they could find. “We need more space, but it is hard to find something we can afford, especially because my mom is disabled.”

Despite working multiple jobs, Naomi could barely keep up with expenses. With schools interrupted and work hours reduced because of the security situation, the pressure has only grown. “We live from paycheck to paycheck,” she admitted. “Sometimes the budget is very tight or just not enough.” The constant uncertainty has weighed heavily on her as she tries to shield her children from fear.

For years, Naomi carried this burden alone, unsure where to turn for help. Then someone referred her to CBN Israel.

Because of caring friends like you, CBN Israel was able to step in quickly. Donors provided food for the family, covered overdue bills, and eased the immediate pressure. Partner support also made it possible to invest in Naomi’s future by paying for professional training that will prepare her for a stable and well-paying career.

Today, Naomi sees a path forward. Your gifts to CBN Israel can restore hope to families facing hardship and uncertainty across the Holy Land.

Please join us in lifting heavy burdens in a time of war.

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

Tucked into the rugged cliffs on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, the ruins of Qumran overlook a landscape that seems barren and forgotten. But beneath its dusty surface, this region once held one of the most extraordinary archaeological treasures in biblical history: the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Discovered by Bedouin shepherds in 1947, the first scrolls were found in a cave near Qumran, launching a discovery that would eventually yield fragments from over 1,000 ancient manuscripts in eleven nearby caves. These scrolls included portions of nearly every book of the Old Testament, every one except Esther, as well as other ancient Jewish writings that shed light on faith and life in the time of Jesus.

The Qumran community, widely believed to have been a sect called the Essenes, lived intentionally and communally in this dry, remote place. Their lives centered on Scripture, purity, discipline, and spiritual devotion. They carefully copied sacred texts in a scriptorium, gathered daily in a long dining hall, and ritually immersed themselves in specially constructed mikva’ot (ritual baths). Even in the wilderness, they were determined to preserve the Word of God and live according to it.

What makes Qumran so compelling isn’t just the incredible preservation of the scrolls, but the example of a people who valued God’s Word above all else. They understood that the Scriptures were not just texts, they were life, identity, and covenant. And so, in the harshest of environments, they chose to live faithfully and preserve truth for future generations.

Centuries later, their devotion still bears fruit. The scrolls discovered in these desert caves have deepened our confidence in the reliability of the Old Testament and opened a window into the spiritual world of first-century Judaism—the same world into which Jesus was born.

As we reflect on Qumran, we’re reminded that God often hides His greatest treasures in unexpected places. He honors those who hunger for His Word, even in the wilderness. The Essenes may never have imagined that their quiet labor would bless millions, but their faithfulness was not in vain.

Are you treasuring God’s Word in your own life? Are there “desert places” where He is calling you to be faithful, even when the fruit is not yet visible?

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.

“How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1).

One of the most striking things about Scripture is its honesty. It does not hide the struggles of faith or present a polished version of spiritual life. Instead, it gives us real voices, real emotions, and real questions. Psalm 13 is one of those moments. 

The psalmist does not begin with calm assurance or quiet confidence. He begins with a cry. “How long?” It is the question of someone who feels forgotten, overwhelmed, and worn down by the weight of waiting. His thoughts are filled with anxiety. His heart carries daily sorrow. His circumstances seem unchanged, and God feels distant.

Many of us know that feeling. There are seasons when God seems silent. Prayers go unanswered. Circumstances linger longer than we expected. We begin to wonder if He sees, if He cares, or if He will act. In those moments, it can feel easier to hide our emotions than to bring them honestly before Him.

But the Bible teaches us something different. It invites us to speak. The psalms are filled with laments, expressions of sorrow, frustration, and even confusion directed toward God. This is not a lack of faith. It is a form of faith. It is choosing to bring our honest emotions to God rather than turning away from Him.

The psalmist models this for us. He addresses God directly. He names his pain without filtering it. He asks for help, pleading for God to act. There is no pretense, no attempt to sound more spiritual than he feels. And yet, he does not stay there. Something shifts.

After pouring out his complaint, the psalmist makes a choice. “But I have trusted in Your faithful love.” His circumstances have not changed. The tension is still present. But he anchors himself in what he knows to be true about God.

This is the heart of biblical lament. It allows space for honesty, but it leads us back to trust. Faith is not pretending everything is fine. It is bringing everything to God, even the things we do not understand. It is trusting His character when His presence feels hidden. It is remembering His past faithfulness and holding onto hope for what He will do.

When we learn to pray this way, something begins to change within us. We are no longer carrying our burdens alone. We are placing them in the hands of a God who listens, who cares, and who is still at work, even when we cannot see it.

Do you allow yourself to speak honestly with God? Do you bring your frustrations, your fears, and your questions before Him? You do not need perfect words. You need a willing heart.

God invites you to come as you are, to speak freely, and to trust Him fully. Even when the answer has not yet come, He is still faithful.

PRAYER

Father, You see the burdens we carry and the questions in our hearts. Help us to bring our honest emotions to You without fear. Teach us to trust in Your faithful love, even when we do not understand. Strengthen our hearts as we wait on You. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13). Read on Shabbat, July 11, 2026 / 26 Tamuz 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Your word shall be binding on you; you shall do according to all that has gone out of your mouth” (Numbers 30:2).

As the book of Numbers draws to a close, Moses prepares Israel for life in the Promised Land. He begins by reminding the people that their words matter. Promises made before God are not empty expressions but sacred commitments. Faithfulness is measured not only by what we believe but also by whether our actions align with the words we speak. Integrity has always been a distinguishing mark of those who belong to the Lord.

The reading then recounts Israel’s wilderness journey, listing each place where God led His people over the course of forty years. Some locations were marked by victory, others by failure, waiting, or grief. Yet every stop became part of God’s greater purpose. Even the difficult places were not wasted. They prepared Israel for the inheritance that lay ahead and testified to God’s unwavering presence throughout the journey.

Matot-Masei reminds us that our lives are shaped both by the promises we keep and by the paths we travel. We often wish to skip seasons of hardship, uncertainty, or delay. Yet God frequently uses those very seasons to deepen our faith, refine our character, and teach us greater dependence upon Him. Looking back, we often discover that His guidance was present even when we could not clearly see it.

There are moments when we must ask whether our words reflect the character of Christ. Are we people whose commitments can be trusted? Do our families, friends, and neighbors see consistency between what we profess and how we live? At the same time, we can remember that every chapter of our journey, including the painful ones, is held securely in God’s hands. He continues to lead His people with wisdom and purpose.

Whether you are beginning a new season or reflecting on one that has ended, take time to recognize God’s faithfulness along the way. Give thanks for the victories, learn from the disappointments, and trust Him with the road that still lies ahead. As Israel prepared to cross into the land of promise, they looked back and saw that God had never abandoned them. The same faithful God continues to lead His people today.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be faithful in both my words and my walk. Teach me to honor the commitments I make and to trust You through every stage of life’s journey. Thank You for guiding me with wisdom, strengthening me through every season, and leading me according to Your perfect purposes. Amen.