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“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, their first response was not confession but concealment. They hid. It is a deeply human reaction. Like children who avoid a parent after doing wrong, they withdrew in fear and shame, hoping somehow to escape being seen. Yet God did not leave them there.

He came into the garden, called out to them, and drew them from their hiding place. From the very beginning, Scripture reveals a God who seeks. When humanity turns away, He moves toward us. When we hide, He calls our name.

The psalmist later reflects on this same truth with awe. There is no place we can go where God is not present. Whether in the heights or the depths, in light or in darkness, He is there. Even the shadows we try to use as cover cannot conceal us from Him. His presence reaches further than our fear can run.

This can feel unsettling at first. We often want distance when we fail. Shame tells us to withdraw, to cover up, to stay hidden. But God’s pursuit is not driven by a desire to expose us for harm. It is motivated by His desire to restore us.

When Adam and Eve stepped out from hiding, God did not abandon them. He cared for them, even providing covering for their shame. His response shows both justice and mercy, but it also reveals His heart. He does not seek us out to destroy us, but to bring us back.

What we see in the garden continues throughout the story of Scripture. God is always the One who initiates, who searches, who calls. And our response matters.

The psalmist, overwhelmed by God’s nearness, does not try to run. Instead, he invites God closer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” What began as an uncomfortable truth becomes a surrendered prayer. He moves from hiding to openness, from fear to trust.

We face that same choice. When we fall short, we can retreat into silence and distance, or we can step forward and allow God to meet us where we are.

The One who already sees us fully also loves us deeply. There is no hiding from God. But there is also no place beyond His reach, His care, and His grace.

PRAYER

Father, when I am tempted to hide in shame or fear, remind me that You are already near. Help me step out of hiding and into Your presence. Search my heart, lead me in Your ways, and restore me with Your grace. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38). Read on Shabbat, March 21, 2026 / 1 Nisan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34-35).

Parashat Pekudei brings the book of Exodus to its completion. After all the instructions, offerings, and careful work, the Tabernacle is finally assembled. Every detail has been followed, every piece put in its place. What began as a vision on the mountain now stands as a reality in the midst of the people. The work of many hands, guided by obedience, becomes a dwelling place for God’s presence.

When the Tabernacle is finished, God responds. His glory fills the space so fully that even Moses cannot enter. This moment reveals that the purpose of all the labor was not the structure itself, but the presence of God. The beauty of the materials and the precision of the design point beyond themselves to something greater. God chooses to dwell among His people, confirming that their efforts were not in vain.

Pekudei also emphasizes accountability and faithfulness. The materials are counted, the work is reviewed, and everything is done as commanded. This attention to detail reflects a deeper truth. Faithfulness in small things prepares the way for greater revelation. The people did not know exactly how God’s presence would appear, but they trusted that obedience would lead to something sacred.

This portion reminds us that God honors faithful completion. Many begin with enthusiasm, but finishing requires perseverance, patience, and trust. Whether in spiritual growth, relationships, or daily responsibilities, the process matters. God is present not only in the beginning but also in the steady work that leads to fulfillment.

Some may be in the middle of a long effort, wondering if their labor will bear fruit. Pekudei encourages endurance. God sees what is built with faithfulness, even when results are not yet visible. Others may be experiencing the joy of completion or breakthrough. Let this moment be filled with gratitude, recognizing that every step was guided by God’s hand.

As this Shabbat arrives, reflect on what God has called you to complete. Offer Him your diligence and your trust. Continue in faithfulness, knowing that His presence is the true goal of every effort. Let your life become a place where His glory is welcomed and revealed.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for guiding me through every step of my journey. Help me remain faithful in what You have given me to do. May my life become a dwelling place for Your presence, and may all I do reflect Your glory. Amen.

As missiles from Iran and rockets from Hezbollah fell across Israel, everyday life was turned upside down. In cities near the northern border and throughout the country, families were rushing to bomb shelters at all hours. Workplaces were closed, schools were interrupted, and many households were struggling just to put food on the table.

For elderly widows, single mothers, and low-income families, the situation was especially frightening. With limited mobility or reduced income, even a quick trip to the grocery store can feel impossible. Some are afraid to leave their homes. Others simply cannot afford the rising cost of basic necessities.

In the midst of this crisis, CBN Israel has mobilized to bring practical help and steady support. Because of caring friends like you, food boxes filled with fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials are being delivered directly to families in need. Hot meals are reaching seniors who cannot safely cook or shop for themselves. Volunteers are checking in on Holocaust survivors and vulnerable residents, ensuring they are not forgotten during these dangerous days.

One elderly woman in the north shared that the food she receives is often the only reliable meal she has during the week. A young mother explained that knowing groceries are coming allows her to focus on comforting her children when sirens sound instead of worrying about an empty refrigerator.

Before the escalation, hundreds of families relied on this support. Now, the need has grown dramatically as more people are displaced or unable to work. Lines form early at distribution centers, and requests for help continue to increase.

Because of the generosity of faithful partners, hope is being delivered alongside every box of food and every warm meal. Your gift today can help families survive the onslaught and remind them they are not alone.

Please join us in standing with Israel and providing nourishment, dignity, and peace of mind in a time of war.

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

Ashkelon stands along the southern Mediterranean coast of modern Israel, positioned between Gaza and Ashdod. In the Bible it is named as one of the five major Philistine cities. Built on a ridge of hardened coastal sandstone, the city overlooked both the sea and the trade routes that connected great regions of the ancient world.

Though the coastal plain received only modest rainfall, Ashkelon had enough to sustain vineyards and gardens. Beneath the surface, a high water table provided a steady source of fresh water. More than one hundred ancient wells have been uncovered there, reminding us how essential water was for life in a dry land.

Ashkelon’s location made it a place of movement and exchange. Ships passed along its shores, and caravans traveled nearby routes linking Egypt with lands to the north and east. It became a meeting point of cultures, goods, and ideas. People came and went, and the city prospered because of its position at the crossroads.

Yet like many places shaped by opportunity and success, Ashkelon also experienced change, conflict, and eventual destruction. Empires rose and fell around it. Armies came and went. Though it was rebuilt more than once, its long history reminds us how temporary even the most strategic and flourishing cities can be.

The Bible mentions Ashkelon only briefly, often in the context of prophetic warning. It was a place known for influence, yet not always for faithfulness. Its story quietly echoes a truth we see throughout Scripture: significance in the world does not always mean alignment with God.

Standing at a crossroads can be a place of blessing, but it can also be a place of decision.

In many ways, our lives resemble Ashkelon. We stand at intersections of influence, opportunity, and choice. We are shaped by the environments around us, the voices we hear, and the paths we take. Like that ancient city, we can become busy, productive, and outwardly successful, yet still miss what matters most.

Ashkelon’s ruins remind us that everything built on human strength alone will one day fade. Trade routes shift. Wealth disappears. Cities fall silent. But God’s purposes continue beyond every rise and fall of history.

The question for us is not how prominent our place may be, but how faithful we are within it.

Where has God placed you? What crossroads are you standing at today? In the midst of activity, responsibility, and opportunity, are you attentive to His voice?

God works not only in great movements of history but also in the quiet decisions of individual lives. When we choose to walk in His ways, we align ourselves with something that endures far beyond the moment.

Ashkelon once stood as a powerful and thriving center of the ancient world. Today, its remains invite us to reflect on what truly lasts. Our calling is not simply to stand at the crossroads, but to choose the path that leads to life with God.

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 word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ And I said, ‘I see a rod of an almond tree.’ Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it’” (Jeremiah 1:11-12).

At first glance, this exchange between God and Jeremiah may seem unusual. Why would an almond branch carry such an important message? The meaning becomes clearer when we understand the Hebrew language and the natural world familiar to the prophet.

In Hebrew, the word for almond is shaqed, while the word translated “watching” is shoqed. The two words sound very similar. Through this wordplay, God connects Jeremiah’s vision with His message: just as Jeremiah sees the almond branch, God is carefully watching over His word to bring it to pass.

The almond tree itself also carries meaning. In the land of Israel, the almond tree is the first to blossom after winter. Its delicate flowers appear while much of the landscape still looks lifeless, signaling that spring is near. Yet although the almond blossoms early, its fruit comes much later. The harvest requires patience.

This pattern becomes a powerful illustration of God’s faithfulness. Like the almond blossom, God’s promises may appear long before their fulfillment. The beginning of His work may be visible, but the completion often takes time.

When Jeremiah received this vision, he faced a difficult calling. He would speak God’s message to a stubborn nation, and the results would not appear quickly. Yet God assured him that His word would not fail. The Lord Himself was watching over it and would bring it to fulfillment.

This truth speaks to our lives as well. Many times we struggle with waiting. We pray, hope, and trust, yet the answers seem slow in coming. In a world built around immediacy, patience can feel like a burden.

But the rhythms of God’s work are more like the seasons of a garden. Seeds take time to grow. Fruit develops slowly. What begins quietly beneath the surface eventually produces a harvest.

The almond branch reminds us that God has not forgotten His promises. Even when fulfillment seems delayed, He is still watching over His word. Our calling is not to rush ahead but to trust His timing and remain faithful in the waiting.

What God has spoken, He will accomplish.

PRAYER

Father, sometimes patience is hard for us. Help us not to get out in front of You, but to trust Your goodness and timing knowing that You watch over Your word. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20). Read on Shabbat, March 14, 2026 / 24 Adar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do” (Exodus 35:1).

Parashat Vayakhel begins with Moses gathering the entire community of Israel. After the turmoil of the golden calf and the renewal of the covenant, the people are called together again. This time the focus is on building the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God’s presence will dwell among them. The assembly of the people shows that the work of holiness is not carried by individuals alone but by a community united in purpose.

Moses reminds them first of the Sabbath, the rhythm of rest that grounds their work in trust. Even the sacred task of constructing the Tabernacle must pause for the holiness of rest. By placing the Sabbath before the building project, God teaches that devotion is not measured only by activity. True faithfulness includes rest, reflection, and dependence on God’s provision.

The people respond with remarkable generosity. Men and women bring offerings from willing hearts. Craftsmen and artisans contribute their skills. Materials once used in Egypt are now transformed into instruments of worship. The community discovers that every gift has value. Creativity, generosity, and cooperation all become part of building a dwelling place for God.

Vayakhel reminds us that God invites each person to participate in His work. Some bring resources. Others bring skill. Others offer encouragement and service. When these gifts are joined together, something sacred emerges. The Tabernacle is not only a structure of wood and fabric. It is a testimony that God chooses to dwell among people who offer their lives willingly.

Some may feel their contributions are small or unnoticed. This portion reassures us that every offering matters when it is given with sincerity. Others may have been blessed with abundance or ability. Vayakhel encourages using those gifts with humility and gratitude. Together, the community becomes a reflection of God’s presence.

As this Shabbat arrives, consider how your gifts can contribute to the work God is doing around you. Offer your time, kindness, and creativity with a willing heart. Let your actions strengthen the community and honor God’s presence. In doing so, you help build a place where faith, generosity, and devotion come together.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for inviting me to take part in Your work. Help me offer my gifts with a willing heart and serve with humility and joy. May my life contribute to a community that reflects Your presence and Your love. Amen.

On a quiet Shabbat morning, life changed instantly for Yury and Olga and their three young children. As the long-anticipated war with Iran erupted, waves of missiles rained down across Israel. In Beersheva, one ballistic missile struck their residential neighborhood, shattering their home and their sense of security.

“When we got out of the bomb shelter and returned home, we saw that the place was completely destroyed,” Yury said. “The doors were blown out. Not a single window was intact. All the appliances were destroyed. I don’t even know how glass cut into the metal of the refrigerator. Nothing was intact. I don’t know how we are going to live like this.”

Outside, Yury had watched rockets streak across the sky. “I saw seven rockets being knocked down. One got away. The blast threw me down. I ran inside because I didn’t know if my family was alright.” Inside, Olga and the children were covered in dust and trembling from the shock wave that blew their door open.

Now, every siren brings fear. “My daughter grabs onto me,” Yury shared. “She holds her little elephant and shakes, saying, ‘Daddy, daddy.’”

In the middle of this crisis, compassionate friends like you were there.

Thanks to generous CBN Israel partners, our team quickly arrived in Beersheva to assess the damage and stand beside this young immigrant family. Donors provided emergency funds for groceries, clothing, and essential supplies so the children would not have to walk through broken glass. Partners also made it possible to help replace destroyed appliances, giving the family stability in the midst of chaos.

“I felt powerless,” Yury admitted. “But your help came at the perfect time. Now I can take care of my family. I’m so humbled. Thank you.”

Your gifts can bring relief and hope to families like Yury and Olga’s. Thank you for standing with Israel’s families in their darkest hours.

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

In the central Golan Heights, about six miles east of the northern Sea of Galilee, lie the ruins of the ancient village of Gamla. The town once stood on a narrow ridge between two deep valleys, visible from the Bethsaida Valley below. Although the Gospels never mention Gamla, Jesus and His disciples would have known this village on the horizon.

Gamla offers a remarkable glimpse into Jewish life during the first century. When Roman forces destroyed the town during the First Jewish Revolt in A.D. 67, it was never rebuilt. Because of this, the site preserves a rare snapshot of a Jewish community from the time of Jesus.

The settlement began earlier as a Hellenistic fortress before becoming a Jewish village in the centuries leading up to the New Testament period. Excavations reveal that the people farmed the surrounding land and produced olive oil, an important product in the region.

Archaeologists discovered large olive presses at the site, including one connected to a ritual immersion bath. This suggests the villagers sought to maintain ritual purity even in their daily work. Evidence also indicates the growing of grain and grapes in the nearby fields.

One of the most significant discoveries at Gamla is its synagogue, the largest urban synagogue from the Roman period found in Israel. Benches lined the walls so the community could gather around the center of the hall where the Scriptures were read and explained. A niche in the wall likely stored the sacred scrolls, and a small room nearby may have served for study.

Other discoveries reveal that some residents enjoyed prosperity. Decorative plaster fragments and jewelry such as rings and gemstones point to homes of wealth. Yet alongside this prosperity were ritual baths and stone vessels, showing the people remained committed to observing their faith.

Gamla also bears the marks of a tragic end. Arrowheads, ballista stones, and a breach in the city wall confirm the fierce battle described by the historian Josephus. The destruction of the town preserved it as a kind of time capsule from the first century.

Standing among the ruins today reminds us that earthly cities do not last forever. Communities rise and fall, and even thriving towns can disappear. Yet the devotion of those who worshiped God there still speaks across the centuries.

Gamla invites us to reflect on our own lives. The villagers built homes, worked the land, gathered to hear the Scriptures, and sought to live faithfully before God. Their story reminds us that what matters most is not how long our cities stand, but how faithfully we walk with the Lord while we are here.

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 is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1-4).

Psalm 23 begins with a statement that is both simple and bold: “The LORD is my shepherd.” In just a few words, David shows us what the life of faith is meant to be. Not a life powered by self-sufficiency, but a life guided by a faithful Protector who knows exactly what His people need.

Sheep are not built to thrive on their own. They are vulnerable, easily unsettled, and prone to wander. In the hills and valleys of Israel, that vulnerability was obvious. The landscape could be harsh, the weather unpredictable, and danger could come quickly from predators or thieves. A flock’s safety depended on the presence, vigilance, and leadership of the shepherd.

That everyday reality becomes the psalmist’s picture of God. The Lord does not merely watch from a distance. He leads. He provides. He restores. He directs. He stays close enough to guard and steady His people when the path narrows and the shadows deepen.

Notice the movement in the passage. The Shepherd brings His sheep to “green pastures” and “quiet waters” places of nourishment and peace. He also leads along “right paths” the safe way forward, the road that honors His name. Then comes the part we all recognize: the darkest valley. The psalm does not pretend that faith eliminates hard seasons. It promises something better: even there, we are not abandoned.

David’s confidence is not grounded in perfect circumstances. It is grounded in presence. “You are with me.” In the valley, the psalm shifts from talking about God to talking to God. The Shepherd is no longer a concept. He is near.

And with Him come the rod and the staff, tools of protection and guidance. They are a comfort not because the sheep are strong, but because the Shepherd is attentive. His correction keeps us from drifting into danger. His defense keeps the enemy from taking what belongs to Him.

For many of us, this is where the struggle becomes personal. We admire the image of God as Shepherd, but we resist being shepherded. We live in a culture that praises independence and control, so we assume maturity means handling everything alone. Yet much of our worry is born right there, in the exhausting attempt to carry what God never asked us to carry.

Peace begins to grow when we stop striving to be self-made and start living as well-loved. The Lord is a good Shepherd. He is not careless with our lives. He will not lead us where His grace cannot sustain us.

PRAYER

Father, You are our Shepherd. Help us surrender our need to control and learn to follow Your lead. Guide us on right paths, restore our hearts, and keep us steady in the valley. We trust You to care for us for Your name’s sake. Amen.