Blog Archives - CBN Israel

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Chayei Sarah (חַיֵּי שָׂרָה) “The Life of Sarah”

Posted on November 14, 2025

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.

Christian Zionism and the Unbreakable Promise of God

Posted on November 13, 2025

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The contentious criticism of Zionism we see today is not new. In 1975, the United Nations passed Resolution 3379, declaring that “Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination.” Israel endured that indignity for sixteen years until 1991, when the UN finally revoked its slanderous decree. Yet a new form of condemnation is now emerging. This time, it comes not only from traditional detractors but also from some self-described conservatives and extremists who have turned against Christian Zionists.

Although Christian Zionists differ on certain points, we are united by one truth: Zionism is rooted in God’s unbreakable biblical covenants. Simply put, the Jewish people have the divine and historical right to a sovereign state in their ancestral homeland of Israel. Even so, opinions about Christian Zionists are spreading across social media, especially following a recent and disturbing interview.

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson invited Nick Fuentes, a self-proclaimed anti-Jewish influencer, for a two-hour conversation. Fuentes, founder of the livestream program America First, is a white supremacist who openly admires Hitler and Stalin and denies that the Holocaust ever happened. His profile on X reads “America First, Christ is King.” It is troubling that some media outlets describe his movement as “Christian based,” which is how Fuentes himself labels it. Although most platforms have banned him, X reinstated his account last year, and he has since gained more than a million followers.

Fuentes’s destructive remarks were predictable. Among them was the assertion that “Jews have no place in Western civilization because they are not Christian.” Even more disturbing, Carlson did not challenge him. Instead, he went further, claiming that he “despises Christian Zionists more than anyone on earth” and calling Zionism a “dangerous heresy” and a “brain virus infecting the church.”

Both men ignore the warning of Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” They may dismiss the warning, but God will not. He will fulfill His perfect plan. Christian Zionists, knowing God’s sovereignty, must stand firm in proclaiming His truth in a world increasingly hostile to it.

My perspective comes from more than twenty-five years of involvement in the pro-Israel Christian movement.

In conversations at churches and online, I have often heard misconceptions about Christian Zionists. Some assume we view Israel through rose-colored glasses, as if the Jewish people and their leaders are perfect. That could not be further from the truth. Like the United States, Israel is imperfect. Jews and Christians alike are imperfect. Yet Christian Zionists choose to be loyal friends to Israel in a world where antisemitism continues to spread like poison.

We base our belief on the biblical “deed” God issued in Genesis 17:8, where He declares His eternal covenant with Abraham’s descendants: “I will give as an everlasting possession the land of Canaan.” God owns the land and has entrusted its stewardship to the Jewish people. That deed still stands.

Israel’s rebirth in 1948 fulfilled Isaiah 66:8: “Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day, or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” The miracle of Israel’s modern establishment is unmatched in world history.

Christian Zionists believe that Scripture is true from Genesis to Revelation. We affirm that God’s covenants with Israel are permanent. We reject replacement theology, which falsely teaches that the church has replaced the Jewish people in God’s plan. The early church was entirely Jewish for nearly a decade after Jesus’ resurrection. Gentiles were later grafted into God’s promises through faith in the Jewish Messiah. Christianity was born from Judaism; it is inseparable from it. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is, and always will be, the Eternal Zionist.

We revere both the Old and New Testaments as one complete revelation of God. Sadly, some Christians focus only on the New Testament, dismissing the Old as outdated. That is like leaving half a loaf of fresh bread untouched. Christian Zionists recognize that the two together form one living Word.

Our support for Israel is not based on politics but on gratitude. We are thankful for the Jewish roots of our faith. Out of that gratitude flows our desire to bless Israel and the Jewish people.

Christian Zionism is not a single movement but a diverse and vibrant community. Hundreds of Christian organizations, large and small, continue to stand with Israel in prayer, advocacy, and action. Since Hamas’s barbaric attack on October 7, 2023, Christian Zionists have intensified their efforts—praying, giving, traveling to Israel, and speaking out for truth. The church must not repeat the passivity of many Christians in Nazi Germany.

Christian Zionists see the evil of terrorism clearly, yet we are not driven by hate. Many of us have deep friendships with both Christian and Muslim Arabs in Israel. We serve, dialogue, and cooperate wherever possible.

Those of us in Christian media strive to share accurate reporting about Israel and the Middle East. We check facts, challenge lies, and stay informed about the realities on the ground. We understand both biblical and modern Israel as a light to the nations. Despite widespread bias in global media, Israel continues to send humanitarian aid across the world—often to nations that refuse to acknowledge its legitimacy.

Motivated by a perfect God, we press on despite human imperfection. Our allegiance is not to politics or personalities but to Scripture, which we regard as God’s unchanging truth.

We invite you to join our CBN Israel team in prayer and in sharing truth during these consequential times.

Prayer Points:

Pray for Christian wisdom and courage to take a stand for God’s chosen people and land.
Pray for thousands of new believers in the Gen Z generation to understand why Israel matters.
Pray for Christian organizations reaching younger generations with truth and love for Israel.
Pray that the bodies of the four remaining hostages will be returned to their families.

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.

Restoring Hope: Feeding Israel’s Hungry

Posted on November 12, 2025

When war struck Israel in October 2023, countless families were suddenly uprooted. They fled their homes, communities, and farms, leaving behind unharvested fields and a nation in shock. As the fighting spread, food prices soared, and what was once a thriving country faced a painful new reality: hunger in the Holy Land.

Today, more than two years later, many Israelis—especially the elderly, single mothers, and displaced families—still struggle to find enough to eat. In this post-war season, the need for daily food and essentials remains urgent.

Through your compassionate support, CBN Israel has been there, working with a trusted local partner to rescue fresh produce and distribute nutritious meals to those who are suffering most. Together, we have helped deliver truckloads of fruit, vegetables, and thousands of hot meals to hungry people across Israel, providing nourishment and hope when it is needed most.

Each day, this partnership helps ensure that children in struggling schools, Holocaust survivors, and vulnerable families receive the food they need to survive. At one vocational school in Jerusalem, many students come from low-income homes and rely on these hot meals to get through the day. As one staff member shared, “For many of our students, this is the only hot meal they receive. It helps them learn, focus, and dream again.”

The impact reaches even further. Meals are also being distributed to soup kitchens, senior centers, and shelters, reminding those in despair that they are not forgotten.

“For most of our students, the lunch they receive is the only hot meal they eat that day,” said Ilanit, the school’s social services coordinator. “Their parents aren’t able to provide for them, and that’s why it’s so important for them to receive it here at school.”

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, CBN Israel is helping to rebuild lives in a nation still healing from war. But the need continues to grow. Thousands of Israelis are praying for relief from hunger and hardship.

Your gift today will help provide food, care, and hope to those who have lost so much. Together, we can show the love of God in action by feeding the hungry and comforting His people across the Holy Land.

Please consider a special gift today to bless those in need throughout the Holy Land!

GIVE TODAY

Lachish: A Fortress Tested by Fire

Posted on November 11, 2025

By Stephen Faircloth

Set in the hills of the Judean lowlands, Lachish once stood as one of the strongest cities in the kingdom of Judah. Its position in the fertile Shephelah gave it both beauty and strategic importance, connecting the hill country near Hebron to the coastal plain toward Ashkelon. With its steady water supply and rich farmland, Lachish became known for its prosperity and thriving vineyards.

Archaeologists have discovered twenty layers of settlement at Lachish, showing that it was inhabited for thousands of years. It was a large, fortified city, mentioned as early as the eighteenth century B.C., long before it became part of Judah. Its location made it a key defensive and administrative center, second only to Jerusalem in importance.

The Bible tells us that King Amaziah fled to Lachish after a revolt in Jerusalem, but his pursuers found him there and killed him (2 Kings 14:19). Later, during the reign of King Hezekiah, the city faced its greatest trial. In 701 B.C., the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah and laid siege to Lachish. Excavations show how the Assyrian army built a massive ramp of earth and stone to breach the city walls. Hundreds of arrowheads and sling stones have been found at the site, silent reminders of the fierce battle that took place.

Sennacherib recorded his victory on large stone panels that decorated his palace in Nineveh. These carvings depict the siege of Lachish with vivid detail: archers firing, battering rams advancing, and captives being led away. Yet despite this devastating loss, Jerusalem itself was spared by the hand of God (2 Kings 19:35-36).

Lachish was rebuilt after the Assyrian attack but fell again during the Babylonian invasion in the sixth century B.C. The prophet Jeremiah mentions Lachish as one of the final cities standing before Jerusalem’s fall (Jeremiah 34:7). Among the ruins, archaeologists discovered pottery shards known as the Lachish Letters, urgent messages written by soldiers as the Babylonian forces drew near. One message notes that the signal fires of nearby Azekah had gone dark, a chilling sign that the enemy was approaching.

Excavations also revealed many large storage jars stamped with the Hebrew word lemelek, meaning “belonging to the king.” These jars, used to store supplies for the royal administration, show that Lachish was a center of wealth and leadership in Judah’s kingdom.

The story of Lachish reminds us that even the strongest walls can fall. True security is not found in fortifications, wealth, or human strength but in the Lord who protects His people. Lachish stood tall in its day, but its ruins still speak, calling us to place our trust not in what we build, but in the One who cannot be shaken.

Where are you placing your confidence today? In your own strength, plans, or possessions? Or in God, who is your true refuge and defender?

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.

Weekly Devotional: Longing for the Living God

Posted on November 10, 2025

“As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, ‘Where is your God?’ I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts. Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:1-5).

There are seasons when our souls feel parched, when God’s presence seems distant and our prayers seem to echo back unanswered. In those moments, the psalmist’s cry becomes our own: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God.”

Just as a deer in a dry wilderness searches desperately for cool, running water, so our spirits crave the refreshment that only the living God can provide. The psalmist remembers a time when his heart overflowed with joy and worship, yet now he feels distant, dry, and forgotten. Even as he recalls leading others in praise, his own soul wrestles with despair.

Still, he does not give up. Twice he asks, “Why are you downcast, my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” And both times he answers with the same truth: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him.” His circumstances remain unchanged, but his perspective shifts. His faith anchors him even when his emotions waver.

Hope, in the biblical sense, is not wishful thinking—it is confident trust in the faithfulness of God. The psalmist teaches us that true faith is not proven by how we feel when life is easy but by how we hold fast when God seems silent. To thirst for Him in the dry places is an act of worship.

Like the deer searching for streams of living water, we too must keep moving toward God, even when the way feels long and uncertain. He alone can satisfy the deep thirst of the soul. His presence revives, restores, and renews us in ways the world never can.

When your heart feels dry or distant from God, do you still thirst for Him as the psalmist did? What steps can you take today to draw near and find refreshment in His presence?

PRAYER

Father, regardless of our circumstances or feelings, You are our hope and our God. Come to us in our desperation. Amen.

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Vayeira (וַיֵּרָא) “He Appeared”

Posted on November 7, 2025

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24). Read on Shabbat, November 8, 2025 / 17 Cheshvan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“The LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth” (Genesis 18:1-2).

In this passage, Abraham experiences one of the most personal encounters with God in all of Scripture. The Lord appears not through thunder or fire, but through three visitors who arrive at his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham does not hesitate. He runs to meet them, bows before them, and offers food, water, and rest. His hospitality turns an ordinary moment into a sacred encounter. God reveals Himself not in spectacle, but in simplicity.

Through this visit, God confirms His covenant promise. Sarah, though advanced in age, will bear a son. The same God who calls Abraham to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah also shows compassion to Sarah’s laughter of disbelief. In these chapters we see both divine justice and mercy, judgment and grace. God appears as the One who sees, speaks, and fulfills His word, even when the promise seems delayed or impossible.

The story of Vayeira reminds us that God’s presence often enters the quiet spaces of life. He meets us not only in the grand events, but in the daily moments of service, prayer, and compassion. Abraham’s hospitality becomes an act of worship, teaching us that faith is not only believing in God’s promises but also welcoming His presence through kindness and obedience.

Many of us long for God to appear in dramatic ways, yet His most profound visits may come through the unnoticed details of daily life. He may show Himself through the needs of another person, through an opportunity to serve, or through a moment of prayer. When our hearts are open and our lives are attentive, we discover that He is nearer than we realized.

Take time this week to look for God’s presence in the ordinary. Be ready to welcome Him as Abraham did, through openhearted hospitality, through prayer, and through acts of compassion. Let each day become a place where divine promise and human response meet, reminding you that God still appears to those who watch for Him.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself in both great and simple ways. Help me to recognize Your presence, to serve others with joy, and to live with faith that welcomes You each day. Amen.

Heartbreaking Casualties of Aid to Gaza

Posted on November 7, 2025

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

During the summer, the Jewish News Syndicate published an astonishing report: more than twenty nations have donated over two million tons of food, supplies, and medical aid to Gaza. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) confirmed that since October 7, 2023, Israel has facilitated 90,000 trucks and 10,000 pallets of humanitarian supplies. Yet, as the Jerusalem News Service reported, Hamas “looted much of the aid during that time and used it to entrench its position.”

One of the most remarkable facts is Israel’s continued commitment to feeding Gazans even while Hamas wages war against it. Israel has endured unimaginable pain, from the murder of more than a thousand IDF soldiers to the continued captivity and deaths of its hostages. Despite these national traumas, Israel is still accused by its detractors of “genocide” and deliberate starvation. These false and absurd accusations echo Hamas’s ongoing propaganda war designed to vilify the Jewish state.

Scrolling through headlines across the world, we might occasionally read that Hamas hijacked aid trucks, but Israel is usually the one blamed in the headlines and opening paragraphs. Now, with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) headquartered in Kiryat Gat, Israel, the reality is being documented. CENTCOM is monitoring the so-called ceasefire, and just last weekend, a U.S. drone captured footage of Hamas once again violating it. The terrorists attacked the driver of a truck loaded with aid and then stole both the vehicle and its contents.

Israel has also released drone footage exposing the waste and corruption surrounding Gaza’s aid distribution. In one striking example, about 950 food trucks approved for entry through the Kerem Shalom crossing were shown sitting idle as their cargo rotted in the summer heat. Why? Because the United Nations, responsible for distributing the aid, refused to do so. The Gaza Humanitarian Fund even offered to distribute the food at no cost, but the UN declined. The same organization that repeatedly slanders Israel was starving the people it claimed to protect.

CENTCOM’s latest drone footage revealed another 600 trucks loaded with supplies entering Gaza. Yet many credible observers have documented Hamas’s pattern of stealing this aid, reselling it to desperate civilians at inflated prices, or hoarding it for their fighters. If famine truly exists in Gaza, it is Hamas—not Israel—that bears responsibility. The same terrorists who use civilians as human shields are now weaponizing food against their own people, all to manipulate global sympathy and shift blame to Israel.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro described the drone surveillance as “a very intrusive version of U.S. monitoring.” Intrusive? Hardly. The drones are vital truth-tellers, offering independent, real-time documentation. Their recordings may finally help expose the lies and hold the true perpetrators accountable.

While Israelis continue to face the trauma of war, loss, and prolonged captivity, the world’s media often fixates on Gaza while largely ignoring other humanitarian catastrophes. In several Central African nations, including Nigeria, mass killings, persecution, and food insecurity are rampant. Yet coverage remains minimal.

That changed in September when U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill highlighting the persecution of Nigerian Christians. The international spotlight is beginning to turn toward these atrocities. Since 2007, while the world has focused on Hamas, Islamic terror groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have murdered approximately 50,000 Nigerian Christians and destroyed more than 20,000 churches.

Open Doors, founded in 1955 by Brother Andrew, continues to support Christians in more than seventy nations, including Nigeria. They identify it as the global epicenter of Christian persecution. Survivors recount that when terrorists attack, they begin by shouting, “Allahu Akbar” (God is most great), followed by “We will destroy all Christians.” The chilling parallel to Hamas’s rallying cry, “From the river to the sea,” is unmistakable. Both call for the eradication of entire faith communities—one Christian, the other Jewish.

When I saw footage of Gazan men tearing open sacks of flour and scattering them, I could not help but think of Nigerian Christians who would treasure even a single bag of that flour to feed their starving families. The contrast could not be more heartbreaking.

Israel has endured more than two years of war, terrorism, and trauma. Yet, despite extraordinary victories achieved by Israel and its allies, the goal of radical Islamist movements remains the same: global domination and the reestablishment of a militant Islamic empire. Neither these groups nor their sponsors show any sign of repentance or restraint. Christians must stay alert, prayerful, and discerning as this ideology continues to spread across the globe.

Encouragingly, awareness is increasing. After President Trump announced on October 31 that if the Nigerian government fails to protect its Christian population, he will launch a strategy to rescue them, new hope began to rise. Persecuted believers urgently need both our prayers and tangible support. CBN’s Operation Blessing has served in Nigeria for decades, providing humanitarian aid and Christian programming. The ministry at opendoorsus.org is another excellent resource for advocacy and action.

As Christians, we are living in consequential times, yet we are not without faith and hope. Ephesians 6:13 reminds us to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day.” As individuals, churches, and nations, we must ask Jesus, “What do You want me to do during these consequential times?”

Our CBN Israel team invites you to join us in prayer and to share reliable truth with others.

Prayer Points:

Pray for the nation and people of Israel to experience deep and lasting healing from both national and personal traumas.
Pray for freed hostages, their families, and the release of all remaining bodies.
Pray for persecuted Christians in Nigeria and throughout Africa to receive relief, protection, and renewed hope in this difficult time.
Pray for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to be guided by divine wisdom and protected with personal safety.

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.

Victim of Terrorism: Giulia’s Story

Posted on November 5, 2025

At the age of 101, Giulia has lived through more than a century of incredible challenges and change. Born in Tripoli, Libya, she still remembers the heartbreak of being forced from her home during a time of political upheaval. She immigrated to Israel in the 1970s, where she began a new life. Although she now lives with dementia, those early memories remain vivid.

Giulia eventually settled in the coastal city of Bat Yam, where she lives alone in a top-floor apartment. During the Iranian attacks on Israel in June, Bat Yam was struck multiple times. One missile exploded just 600 yards from her building, damaging her kitchen and shattering her windows. Without a safe room in her apartment and unable to reach the shelter downstairs, she was left feeling vulnerable and afraid.

Because of caring friends like you, CBN Israel was able to step in and meet her urgent needs. Donors helped evacuate Giulia to safety, provided her with nourishing meals and groceries, and repaired the damage to her kitchen and windows. After her evacuation, Giulia reflected, “It was difficult to be outside of my home, but I loved seeing the beach every day. I don’t usually have that joy.”

Then, thanks to the generosity of CBN Israel’s steadfast supporters, she was able to return home with dignity and renewed comfort.

She said, “The destruction in the city is a harsh reminder of the pain the country is going through. I’m so thankful for your help, especially coming from outside the country and from Christians. No matter where the help comes from, it is a blessing. And we send our blessings back to all who helped us.”

Through CBN Israel, you can make a powerful difference in the lives of so many like Giulia by providing food, shelter, and emergency relief to those in need. Your kindness can bring critical aid to elderly widows, Holocaust survivors, terror victims, and displaced families.

Please join us in standing with the people of Israel in their time of need!

GIVE TODAY

The Mountain of God: The Temple Mount Through Time

Posted on November 4, 2025

By Stephen Faircloth

Rising above Jerusalem, the Temple Mount has long stood as a symbol of faith, devotion, and divine presence. Today, the golden Dome of the Rock gleams from its ancient platform, but beneath it lies a history stretching back over three thousand years to the time of King David.

Around 1000 B.C., David captured the Jebusite city of Jerusalem and made it the capital of his kingdom. On the eastern hill, he built his palace and brought the Ark of the Covenant to rest in a tent. His son Solomon later expanded the city to the north, building the royal palace and the First Temple—the dwelling place of the God of Israel. For nearly four centuries, it stood as the spiritual center of the nation until it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

When the exiles returned from Babylon, they rebuilt the Temple under Zerubbabel, creating what became known as the Second Temple. Centuries later, Herod the Great began an enormous renovation project that transformed the modest structure into one of the most magnificent sanctuaries in the ancient world. He built massive retaining walls that expanded the summit of Mount Zion into a vast platform, making it the largest sacred space in the Roman Empire.

Herod’s Temple was the one known to Jesus, Mary, and the apostles. Inside its courts stood the Holy Place, where the golden lampstand and the Table of the Bread of the Presence were kept, and beyond it, the Holy of Holies, entered only once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. Pilgrims from across the ancient world ascended its steps to offer sacrifices and prayers, believing this was the place where heaven and earth met.

In A.D. 70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and Herod’s Temple, leaving only portions of the retaining walls that supported the Temple Mount. Over the centuries, new structures rose upon the site—pagan shrines, Byzantine churches, and later, the Islamic monuments that remain today: the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Through all these changes, the Temple Mount has remained a place of reverence, prayer, and longing for generations of believers.

For Christians, the Temple Mount reminds us of Jesus’ words: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). He was prophetically speaking of His body, revealing that God’s presence would no longer dwell in stone buildings but within the hearts of His people. Through Christ, every believer becomes a living temple, carrying the presence and Spirit of God into the world.

The Temple Mount, with all its layers of history, invites us to consider what kind of temple we are building. Is our faith built upon outward ritual, or upon the indwelling presence of God? The same God who once filled Solomon’s Temple with His glory now calls us to be living temples of His Spirit, reflecting His light in a dark world.

The Temple Mount stands as a reminder that while sacred spaces can be destroyed, the true dwelling of God endures in His people worldwide. How are you making space for His presence in your life today?

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.

Weekly Devotional: The Freedom of Trust

Posted on November 3, 2025

We live in an age of constant noise and pressure. Our schedules are full, our minds are restless, and our hearts often feel overwhelmed.

Between work, finances, relationships, and the flood of information that surrounds us, many of us live in a constant state of anxiety and worry. Yet Jesus spoke directly to this condition of the soul.

In the Parable of the Sower, He described how the cares of life choke spiritual growth, like thorns strangling a young plant (Luke 8:14). It was not the seed that failed, but the soil crowded with distractions. Worry, wealth, and worldly concerns keep the Word of God from taking deep root in us.

Jesus also warned His followers not to live like the pagans who anxiously seek after food and clothing, fearing they will not have enough (Matthew 6:25-34). Pagans lived in fear because they believed their gods were distant and unpredictable, requiring constant offerings to win their favor. But the God of the Bible is not anything like that. He is a loving Father who knows what we need before we ask.

Worry, then, is more than a habit—it reveals what we believe about God. When we worry, we act as though He is not good, not attentive, or not able to provide. Jesus calls us instead to trust, to “seek first the kingdom of God,” and let our Father handle the rest.

This kind of faith and trust is not blind optimism. It is grounded in daily dependence upon God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Just as God gave manna in the wilderness one day at a time, He provides what we need in each moment. The lesson of manna was clear: trust cannot be stored up. It must be practiced fresh each day.

Deuteronomy reminds us that the wilderness was not meant to destroy Israel but to teach them dependence. “The Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness to humble and test you … so you would learn that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

Our culture prizes control, but the life of faith is built on surrender. When we cling to worry, we act like those who do not know God. When we release it, we proclaim that our Father is faithful.

Today, you can choose trust over fear. You can let go of the things you cannot control and rest in the God who never fails. He has carried you before, and He will do it again.

What are you worrying about today that reveals a lack of trust? How might you hand that burden to God and rest in His care?

PRAYER

Father, teach me to rest in Your faithfulness. When anxiety rises, remind me that You are my provider and protector. Help me to live with peace and confidence, knowing You will meet my every need. Amen.

ARTICLES

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Chayei Sarah (חַיֵּי שָׂרָה) “The Life of Sarah”

Christian Zionism and the Unbreakable Promise of God

Restoring Hope: Feeding Israel’s Hungry

Lachish: A Fortress Tested by Fire

Weekly Devotional: Longing for the Living God

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Vayeira (וַיֵּרָא) “He Appeared”

Heartbreaking Casualties of Aid to Gaza

Victim of Terrorism: Giulia’s Story

The Mountain of God: The Temple Mount Through Time

Weekly Devotional: The Freedom of Trust

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Chayei Sarah (חַיֵּי שָׂרָה) “The Life of Sarah”

Christian Zionism and the Unbreakable Promise of God

Restoring Hope: Feeding Israel’s Hungry

About CBN Israel

LINKS

FOLLOW US!

Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Chayei Sarah (חַיֵּי שָׂרָה) “The Life of Sarah”