ARTICLES

Imagine living in a country whose very existence—and yours—is constantly threatened. For generations, Israel’s people have faced persecution, tragedy, and danger. In fact, a staggering one third of all Israelis live with some form of anxiety or trauma-related distress.

The horrors of the October 7^th attack by Hamas only intensified the trauma—followed by the ballistic missile attacks from Iran. How can any nation recover from so much terrorism?

Thankfully, friends like you were there through CBN Israel. Because they understand the escalating mental health needs on the ground, CBN Israel launched the Community Support and Resilience Center. Using innovative strategies, the center is designed to help residents not only cope, but to truly heal and rebuild their lives.

And it marks a significant milestone for the ministry’s work in the Holy Land. The center serves as a crucial network for counseling professionals, as well as individuals seeking help. Through workshops, seminars, and public events, it will facilitate training on essential self-care strategies, stress reduction, coping skills, and processing devastating events.

As the demand for professional counseling has overwhelmed government and healthcare systems, you are providing assistance at the community level to those who are still waiting. For those who are grappling with dark memories and loss, caring donors are giving them, as the ancient promise in Jeremiah 29:11 says, “a future and a hope.”

And your gifts to CBN Israel can offer a lifeline of hope in even more ways. You can bring groceries, financial aid, safe housing, and more to those in crisis.

Please join us as we reach out and care for others!

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

Just a few miles north of Nazareth, across the Beit Netofa Valley, lie the remains of the ancient village of Yodfat. In the time of Jesus, it would have been an easy day’s walk from His hometown. Nestled among the hills of Galilee, Yodfat was a working village where daily life revolved around simple but essential tasks. Families raised sheep and goats, spun wool into thread, and wove it into cloth. The discovery of loom weights and pottery fragments reveals a community shaped by labor, creativity, and trade.

Yodfat gives us a glimpse into the kind of places where Jesus lived and ministered. These were not grand cities or centers of power, but ordinary villages filled with people trying to provide for their families and remain faithful to God. In places like this, Jesus taught, healed, and shared the message of the kingdom.

The village also carries a sobering history. During the First Jewish Revolt, it became a fortified stronghold. The Roman army eventually surrounded it, building a ramp to breach its defenses. The historian Josephus, who was present during the siege, described the desperation of those final days. In the end, the village was destroyed and never rebuilt, leaving behind a silent testimony to both human struggle and the passing nature of earthly life.

Yet even in its ruins, Yodfat speaks. Archaeological findings reveal a community marked by both diversity and devotion. Some homes show signs of wealth, with decorative elements similar to those found in Jerusalem. Others reflect the lives of artisans and laborers. There were merchants, craftsmen, and undoubtedly the poor, all living side by side.

More importantly, the remains point to a people committed to their faith. Ritual immersion pools and stone vessels indicate careful attention to purity laws. The absence of certain animal remains reflects adherence to dietary practices found in the Torah. This was a community seeking to honor God in the rhythms of everyday life.

These were the kinds of people who heard Jesus’ voice. When we consider Yodfat, we are reminded that God’s work often unfolds in ordinary places. Jesus did not limit His ministry to prominent cities or influential leaders. He walked through villages like this one, meeting people in their homes, their fields, and their places of work.

Yodfat also reminds us of how quickly circumstances can change. A thriving village became a ruin within a generation. What once felt stable disappeared. Yet God’s purposes continued. The message Jesus proclaimed in those hills did not end with the destruction of a village. It carried forward, reaching far beyond Galilee.

As we reflect on Yodfat, we are invited to consider our own lives. We may not live in ancient villages, but our daily routines are not so different. We work, we provide, we navigate challenges, and we seek meaning in the midst of it all.

God meets us there. He meets us in the ordinary, in the familiar places where life unfolds day by day. Just as Jesus walked the hills of Galilee, He walks with us now, calling us to live faithfully in our own time and place.

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.

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

What does your life communicate about your faith? Not just in words, but in daily choices, attitudes, and responses. Paul’s encouragement to the believers in Philippi invites us to consider not only how we live, but why it matters.

Paul wrote this letter with deep joy. Though he had faced hardship and opposition in Philippi, he later heard that the believers there were growing strong in their faith. They had not given up. They were standing firm despite pressure. That news filled him with gratitude, but also with purpose. He urged them to continue living in a way that reflected the gospel they believed.

At first glance, his instruction sounds personal: live a life worthy of the gospel. But Paul quickly widens the focus. He speaks of standing firm “in one Spirit” and striving “together as one.” In other words, the way each person lives affects the strength of the whole community.

This challenges the way we often think. Faith can feel like a private matter, something between us and God alone. But Scripture consistently points us toward something bigger. Our walk with Christ is personal, but it is never meant to be isolated. We belong to a larger body, a people, a shared witness.

Every act of faithfulness strengthens that witness. Every compromise weakens it. When we choose integrity, we encourage others to stand firm. When we pursue humility, we help create unity. When we remain steady in difficult moments, we give courage to those around us. Our lives become threads woven into something greater than ourselves.

Paul also reminds the Philippians not to be intimidated by opposition. Living for Christ will not always be easy. There will be resistance, misunderstanding, and pressure to conform. But when believers stand together, rooted in the same Spirit, they find strength that goes beyond what any individual could carry alone.

So, the question becomes more than “How am I living?” It becomes, “How is my life shaping the community God has placed me in?”

A life worthy of the gospel is not about perfection. It is about alignment. It is about allowing the truth of Christ to shape how we think, act, and relate to others. And as we do, we become part of a community that reflects His character to the world.

Your faith matters. Not only for you, but for those walking beside you.

PRAYER

Father, help us live in a way that reflects Your gospel each day. Shape our lives so that we strengthen and encourage those around us. Unite us in Your Spirit and make us a community that honors You. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27). Read on Shabbat, May 2, 2026 / 14 Iyar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim brings together two powerful themes: atonement and holiness. After the death of Aaron’s sons, God gives instructions for approaching His presence with care and reverence. The Day of Atonement becomes a sacred moment when the people are cleansed and restored. This foundation of mercy leads directly into the call to holiness in daily life.

Kedoshim expands the meaning of holiness beyond ritual. It speaks into relationships, justice, honesty, and compassion. Commands such as loving your neighbor, caring for the vulnerable, and acting with integrity show that holiness is not distant or abstract. It is lived out in ordinary interactions. God’s character becomes the model for how His people are to live with one another.

This portion teaches that holiness begins with God but is expressed through human action. To be holy is not to withdraw from the world but to live within it in a way that reflects God’s nature. Every choice becomes an opportunity to honor Him, whether through fairness in business, kindness in speech, or patience in difficulty.

At the same time, the reminder of atonement keeps this calling grounded in humility. Holiness is not achieved through perfection but sustained through God’s mercy. The people are invited to pursue a life that reflects Him while continually returning to His grace when they fall short. This balance of responsibility and mercy shapes a life of steady growth.

Some may feel the weight of trying to live rightly in a complex world. Acharei Mot-Kedoshim offers both direction and reassurance. God shows what is good and also provides a way back when we fail. Others may be experiencing a season of clarity and purpose. This is an opportunity to walk more fully in the call to reflect God’s holiness in every area of life.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on what holiness looks like in your daily actions. Consider one relationship or situation where you can act with greater love, integrity, or compassion. Let your choices be shaped by the character of God, trusting that His mercy sustains you as you grow.

PRAYER
Lord, You are holy and You call me to reflect Your character. Help me live with integrity, compassion, and humility. Thank You for Your mercy that restores me when I fall short. May my life honor You in all I do. Amen.

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.

As sirens continued to sound across Israel, fear remained a daily reality for families like hers. With over 250 people displaced and entire buildings deemed unsafe, the path forward feels 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 greatest need.

GIVE TODAY

“Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born” (Isaiah 66:8)

On May 14, 1948, just hours before the Sabbath, history turned in a modest Tel Aviv art gallery. About 350 people crowded into the hot room for a brief ceremony that lasted only 32 minutes, yet reshaped the course of the modern world.

David Ben Gurion rose to speak, declaring the rebirth of a nation: “We… hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel, to be known as the State of Israel.”

In that moment, he spoke not only for those present but for millions of Jews around the world who, after centuries of exile, persecution, and the devastation of the Holocaust, finally had a homeland. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people had sovereignty again in the land of their ancestors.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of HaTikvah, “The Hope,” a fitting anthem for a people who had long carried hope through centuries of hardship.

The following day, the United States became the first nation to recognize Israel. President Harry Truman’s swift decision surprised many and was seen by some as an acknowledgment of both history and destiny.

Yet independence came at a cost. Within 24 hours, five Arab armies invaded the new state, determined to destroy it at birth. Israel’s War of Independence was not simply a struggle for sovereignty but a fight for survival.

More than seven decades later, that reality remains. Israel continues to face threats from those who reject its right to exist. Today, the challenge has expanded into a multi-front conflict involving Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Even in times of ceasefire, the hostility remains clear and the stated goal of eliminating Israel has not disappeared.

This ongoing struggle gives deeper meaning to Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. Celebrated on the 5th of the Hebrew month of Iyar, it follows immediately after Yom HaZikaron, the nation’s Memorial Day. The transition from mourning to celebration reflects the reality that Israel’s independence has always been secured at great cost.

As evening falls, a national ceremony marks the shift. Flags are raised, torches are lit, and the tone moves from grief to gratitude. Across the country, people gather in streets and parks to celebrate with music, dancing, and community.

The next day, the skies fill with the roar of Israeli Air Force jets flying in formation, a powerful symbol of the nation’s ability to defend itself. Families gather for picnics and barbecues, known in Hebrew as mangal, celebrating life and freedom together.

At the close of the day, Israel honors its citizens by awarding the Israel Prize to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society in fields such as science, culture, and the arts.

Yom HaAtzma’ut is more than a national holiday. It is a declaration that the Jewish people are no longer without a home or a voice. It is a testament to resilience in the face of war, loss, and ongoing threats.

In a time when Israel again finds itself defending its borders and its people on multiple fronts, Independence Day carries renewed significance. It is not only a celebration of what was achieved in 1948, but a recognition of what continues to be defended today.

Against all odds, Israel endures. And in that endurance, the hope first sung in that Tel Aviv hall still lives on.

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.

“The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die” (Psalm 116:15).

Each year, one week after Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Day, the country enters another sacred day of remembrance. Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, honors those who gave their lives in defense of the nation, from the days before independence to the present, as well as civilians killed in acts of war and terror.

This day carries a profound weight, especially now. In the wake of the October 7 attacks and amid a prolonged, multi-front conflict involving Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, the reality of loss and sacrifice feels immediate. Even during periods of ceasefire, the threat remains, and the intent of those who seek Israel’s destruction has not faded.

The national observance begins with a solemn ceremony at the Western Wall, broadcast across the country. In cities, towns, and neighborhoods, local gatherings bring communities together to remember the fallen. Young people play a central role, ensuring that the stories of sacrifice are passed on to the next generation. Streets fill with residents who stand together as the names of those lost from their communities are read aloud.

For many Israelis, Yom HaZikaron is not a distant historical reflection but a deeply personal experience. Nearly every family has been touched by war or terror. People visit military cemeteries, attend memorial services, and participate in school programs dedicated to honoring those who gave their lives.

Twice during the day, once in the evening and again the following morning, a siren sounds across the nation. At its call, daily life stops. Drivers step out of their cars, conversations cease, and an entire country stands in silence. In those moments, Israelis remember the cost of their existence and the lives behind that cost.

“I was thinking about all the soldiers from the beginning of the modern State of Israel up until today who had to fight on the frontlines and on the home front,” said Shai Yosipov, a former IDF combat medic.

“It’s so important that everyone understands the price and the responsibility we have for living in this country. We not only remember our fallen loved ones, but we also acknowledge that there has always been a sacrifice that needed to be made so that we could be here today,” he said.

For many, the day is also one of prayer and reflection. “During the siren, I was praying for families who’ve lost so many, and I prayed that God would give them comfort from the pain,” said Sarah Rivka Yekutiel, who moved to Israel from Boston years ago.

“It’s an emotional time for everyone, whether you’ve lost family or not. This day is very heavy and intense,” said Orital Saban, who recently immigrated from Canada.

Since 1860, more than 23,000 Israeli and Jewish soldiers have fallen in defense of the land, along with more than 3,100 victims of terror. These numbers continue to grow as Israel faces ongoing threats on multiple fronts, a sobering reminder that the struggle for security is not yet over.

Yet even in grief, there is a remarkable transition. As Yom HaZikaron comes to a close at sundown, the nation shifts from mourning to celebration with Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. The movement from sorrow to joy reflects a central truth of Israeli life: that independence has come at a cost, and that the memory of those who paid that price is inseparable from the freedom the nation celebrates.

In a time of continued uncertainty and conflict, Yom HaZikaron stands as both a memorial and a call to remember, to honor, and to hold fast to the value of every life given in the defense of Israel.

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.

“If you carefully obey my commands I am giving you today, to love the Lord your God and worship Him with all your heart and all your soul, I will provide rain for your land in the proper time, the autumn and spring rains, and you will harvest your grain, new wine, and oil. I will provide grass in your fields for your livestock. You will eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15 hcsb).

In an agricultural world where farmers depended entirely on rain, timing could mean the difference between life and loss. If the rains came too early, the crops could be ruined. If they came too late, the fields would dry out and die. Everything depended not just on rain, but on rain arriving at the right time.

As the people of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, God gave them a promise that required trust. Unlike Egypt, where irrigation systems could control water, this new land depended on rain from heaven. Survival would rest in God’s hands.

They would plant their fields and wait. Imagine the tension of that waiting. Seeds buried in the soil, no visible growth, eyes scanning the sky day after day. Would the rain come? Would it come in time?

God’s promise was clear. If they loved Him, obeyed Him, and remained faithful, He would send the rain in its season. He would provide what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

But the temptation was real. Other nations worshiped gods they believed controlled rain and fertility. Turning to those gods offered a sense of control, a way to ease uncertainty. It was a way of saying, “What if God doesn’t come through?”

We may not bow to ancient idols, but the struggle is familiar. When God’s timing feels slow or uncertain, we look for ways to take control. We try to secure outcomes on our own. We place our trust in what we can see, manage, or manipulate.

Yet God calls us to a different posture. He invites us to trust Him, not only for provision, but for timing. The rain does come. But it comes in its season.

There are seasons in our lives when we are planting and waiting, when nothing seems to be happening. Prayers feel unanswered. Progress feels delayed. But just as the farmer trusts that growth is happening beneath the surface, we are called to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it.

God is not late. He is precise. He knows when to send what we need. His provision is not random. It is intentional, timely, and sufficient. When we walk in trust and obedience, we can rest in the assurance that He will care for us.

The question is not whether God will provide, but whether we will trust Him while we wait.

PRAYER

Father, teach us to trust Your timing. When we feel anxious or uncertain, remind us that You see what we cannot. Help us remain faithful and patient, knowing that You will provide exactly what we need in the right season. Amen.