Crowds in Tel Aviv roared as speakers declared, “Miracles can happen, the hostages are coming home,” and the rally applauded mentions of President Donald Trump while booing references to the current Israeli leadership. Israel’s hostage envoy told families that the handover, living and deceased, will begin Monday morning. Hamas publicly echoed that timing. Attention is shifting to who will be in the room that can make decisions stick. What matters most now is whether Prime Minister Netanyahu is at the table, and whether President Donald Trump steps in directly or attends, since their presence and resolve are what turn paper into reality.
Across the Atlantic, a striking note of affirmation sounded. Venezuelan opposition leader and newly announced Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado dedicated her award to President Donald Trump, crediting decisive stands against tyrannies and signaling that courage can ripple far beyond one nation’s borders. It is unusual, and it is telling. The world is watching where resolve meets results.
One image captured the moment with stunning clarity. The Jerusalem Post front page showed the profile of President Donald Trump formed by the faces of the hostages, crowned by the headline “HE’S BRINGING THEM HOME.” It is stark, unapologetic, and deeply human. Every face is a prayer. The design says what speeches cannot: leadership is measured in lives brought back, not slogans. For Israelis who have lived two years of midnight, that cover felt like daylight breaking in.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised President Trump’s role in forging the breakthrough, calling his leadership uniquely decisive, the only one with the power to create what has happened now, and crediting him with restoring a brief, shining moment of joy to Israelis. On the ground, Israel has paused fire in preparation for the agreement, begun repositioning, and published lists of detainees slated for release as part of the exchange. Palestinians in the south are moving north under a fragile calm, and rescue teams are recovering the dead. Joy and grief are walking side by side.
God is at work. He changes hearts, bows proud knees, and opens doors we thought were sealed.
Tomorrow’s promised handover holds two truths at once. Israel will embrace the living and will receive the fallen with honor. “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime, weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5, NIV. Morning does not erase the night, it redeems it. Can we bless God for every door He opens without pretending the valley was not deep. Can we carry gratitude in one hand and righteous resolve in the other.
This is a hinge moment, not a tidy ending. Leaders will enter rooms where motives mix, and courage will be tested. Scripture gives us steadier words for a week like this. “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” — Revelation 3:7, NIV. If the Lord is opening a way, will we walk it with thanksgiving and vigilance. Will we keep praying until every hostage is accounted for, living or lost, so families can grieve with honor and hope. Will we ask for wisdom and steel for Israel’s leaders, that compassion never cancels clarity and that clarity never crushes compassion.
When a nation tastes both singing and sorrow in the same breath, we let God search our hearts so we do not slip into Jonah’s crossed-arms resentment outside the city, and we stand like Esther, fasting, speaking, asking for life. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” — Romans 12:9, NIV. To cling is to hold fast when the wind rises. It is to say, in love and without apology, that Israel’s right to live and to defend her people is not up for negotiation, even as we pray for mercy on all who suffer because violent men chose violence.
Tonight belongs to watchmen and parents and friends who have kept a light on for two long years. Tomorrow belongs to the God who brings morning. May Israel hear footsteps at the door, and may the Lord steady every trembling hand that turns the key.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, May those who love you be secure.” — Psalm 122:6, NIV
Today’s Prayer
Lord of Hosts, tomorrow hostages are to be released. Make a way where there has been no way. Bring home the living and return the lost with honor. Wrap Your arms around every Israeli family who rejoices and every family who mourns. Guard Israel, frustrate terror, expose hidden schemes. Give courage and wisdom to leaders at the table, especially Prime Minister Netanyahu, and, if he steps in, President Donald Trump. Keep our hearts clear and kind, steadfast in truth, rich in mercy. Make us modern-day Esthers who pray, speak, and act for such a time as this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
