“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6
There are moments when the weight of the world feels too heavy to carry. The headlines are grim. Prayers seem to linger unanswered. And we wonder: Where is the rescue?
One of our supporters, when asked whether we should reorder the Yellow Ribbon Pins, said simply, “No, I’m trusting HaShem to bring them home.” That statement stopped me.
HaShem is the Hebrew way of referring to God, meaning “The Name.” It is used as a way of showing reverence for God’s holiness and a reminder that He is the covenant-keeping One. To trust HaShem is to place our hope not in our own ability to fix things, but in the One who has been faithful to His people from the beginning.
Trusting Him does not mean we stand still. It means we live with open hands — doing what we can, while remembering Who is truly in control. We pray, we speak up, we act… but we also rest in His promises.
When trusting feels hard, here are ways we can strengthen our faith:
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Look back — Remember moments in your life when God carried you through impossible situations. Reflect on His faithfulness to Israel through every generation — from the Exodus to the return from exile, to the miracle of 1948.
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Look up — Spend time in His Word and prayer. Let Scripture remind you of His unchanging character.
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Look around — See the signs of His care in small things: provision, protection, and unexpected encouragement from others.
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Look ahead — Trust that His promises are not broken. What He has spoken, He will fulfill.
We see the pain of the hostage families. We grieve with them. And like them, we wrestle with wanting action now while knowing HaShem’s ways are higher than ours. Just as He delivered our people from Egypt in His perfect timing, He will deliver again.
Our yellow ribbon pins are one way we declare: We will not forget. We will not stop praying. We will not stop trusting HaShem.
“Avinu Malkeinu” is Hebrew for “Our Father, Our King.” It’s a phrase found in traditional Jewish prayers, especially during the High Holy Days, that captures both God’s tender care and His sovereign authority. As Avinu — our Father — He loves, protects, and provides for His people. As Malkeinu — our King — He rules over the nations with justice and power. Calling Him Avinu Malkeinu is a way of approaching Him with both intimacy and reverence, trusting Him as the One who loves us deeply and has the authority to act on our behalf.
Today’s Prayer:
Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and King, we place the hostages into Your hands. We ask for Your protection over their lives, comfort for their families, and wisdom for the leaders working for their release. Strengthen our trust in You when the waiting feels unbearable. Help us to remember Your past faithfulness, to see Your present care, and to hope in Your future deliverance. Amen.
