The Oval: The next forty days

September 26, 2012

Wilson

Writer

Take the 40 Day, 40 Night Challenge

Good afternoon.

Earlier this summer, there was a big debate about whether God has any place in the Democratic Party platform.

You see, when the Democrats met in 2008, God was there.

But in 2012, He got taken out.

There was a little uproar.

So they had a vote to put Him back in. You saw the video, and you know the rest of the story.

I wonder what God thought of all that.

None of us can know the mind of God, but I think it’s safe to say that God wasn’t too worked up about it.

God doesn’t depend on political party platforms.

God doesn’t need a majority vote.

God doesn’t need our permission to enter our lives.

God exists. God loves. And God is always there, whether we want him in our lives or not.

That is an incredibly powerful idea: God is with us, always.

Even the most powerful men have depended on God.

Every man who occupies this office finds himself turning to God, at one point or another.

Each one of them.

No matter how confident. No matter how powerful. No matter how mighty.

The most powerful person on the planet works here.

And when things get tough, he will bend his head in prayer.

Put his face in his palms and drop down.

And he will ask God for guidance. For truth.

I’m so grateful to live in a nation where the president prays.

I don’t care who sits in that chair.

As long as he recognizes that there are some moments beyond his wisdom… beyond his power… moments where God is necessary, that is good enough for me.

Because God is necessary for everyone.

If God is there for presidents, he is surely there for us.

He is in signs seen and unseen…. In moments of pain and moments of joy.

He moves the heavens and the oceans… and yet He can be found in a quiet breeze.

And so I am asking you today: Bring God into your life. Make room for Him.

You don’t have to be the president to call on God’s wisdom.

God is there for the big moments. And He is there for the little ones, too.

I am asking everyone, starting today, to take time to rebuild your relationship with God.

You don’t need a crisis.

You don’t even need a church.

Just take a moment. Reflect on everything you are… everything you have been…everything around you.

Ask yourself: Am I responsible for it all? Am I the master of all that comes before me?

Is all this mine… and mine alone?

The answer will humble you.

But the answer will open your eyes.

God is the author of our story.

Only God has the wisdom to see where it will all lead. Only God has the grace to show us the way…. If we are willing to follow Him.

I have asked everyone to spend some time – even just one minute a day – for the next 40 days and 40 nights. We have 40 days and 40 nights until the election.

These are days of great anxiety, great peril, for this nation.

We need God’s wisdom. God’s guidance. God’s love.

We need to serve God.

Have faith in Him. Discovery his Truth. Commit acts of Charity.

Every day. Every night. 40 days and 40 nights.

You know the reference.

You know that Noah rode his ark for 40 days and 40 nights. You know that Moses ascended Mount Sinai, and returned with the Scripture after 40 days and 40 nights.

It’s a special number. In today’s hyperconnected world, where time is measured in nanoseconds and ideas are measured in tweets, 40 days and 40 nights are an eternity.

But that’s how God measures time. In eternity.

And think about what we must look like to God… what our lives and worries must appear to be in the vastness of time.

A mere flicker of light… a momentary burst of energy and then… we’re gone.

If we use that moment for good… if we use that moment to bring beauty into this world… to raise up truth… to do acts of charity…

Maybe God will take notice.

Maybe God will gaze on our brief moment on this planet, and say: “This one, this life… is a good one. This was worth the effort.”

That’s what these next 40 days and 40 nights are about.

Making sure that we are worth the effort of our creation.

That we DO something, every day and every night, to justify our time on this planet.

We can have confidence that we will be noticed. We can be sure that our work will endure.

We have what Martin Luther King called “cosmic companionship.”

God is with us.

God is not indifferent. God does not look away.

He numbers every grain of sand and names every star in the sky.

Today is Yom Kippur. It is the Jewish day of atonement, the holiest day of the year.

Jews fast from sundown Tuesday to nightfall Wednesday.

They are to focus, like no other time of the year, like no other moment in their lives, on reconnecting with God.

They read from the prophet Isaiah: Rise up, rise up! The prophet says. Awake from your slumber…

The rest of the year we are asleep. On Yom Kippur, Judaism teaches us, we are finally awake!

It is a day from which we can all learn.

For today, the Jewish faith teaches us, God listens to the prayer of every man, woman and child. God draws near...

The gates of heaven are open… and we all stand before Him…just as we are. As plain as the day we were born.

Neither the wealthy… nor the powerful… nor the famous… are any better or any worse than the lowliest among us.

Some of us look forward to that moment of communion with God.

Some of us fear it.

But none of us can avoid it.

That is the message of this holiday. Yom Kippur. We are all God’s children. He knows each of us. And we must account for our actions, each one of them.

These next 40 days… they can be days of reconnection… of service… of hope… of love.

They can be days of action… of determination… of change.

Rise up, rise up!

You can fill these days with purpose.

Or let them slip away.

But the clock is ticking.

The days are falling away.

I’m asking each of you to do something great.

Pray. Serve. Love.

What happens next, we may not be able to control.

We can’t be certain what will happen next.

Or whether we can be the difference.

Remember… God is the author of our story. Only He knows how time will unfold.

But as every man who has sat here knows….

Against that mystery… against the doubt…against the fear

We need all the help we can get.

And that is why we pray.

Here, in this office… and at home… wherever we live.

Thanks for watching.

God bless you, and may God bless this Republic.

'Rage against the dying of the light': Charlie Kirk lived that mandate

PHILL MAGAKOE / Contributor | Getty Images

Kirk’s tragic death challenges us to rise above fear and anger, to rebuild bridges where others build walls, and to fight for the America he believed in.

I’ve only felt this weight once before. It was 2001, just as my radio show was about to begin. The World Trade Center fell, and I was called to speak immediately. I spent the day and night by my bedside, praying for words that could meet the moment.

Yesterday, I found myself in the same position. September 11, 2025. The assassination of Charlie Kirk. A friend. A warrior for truth.

Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins.

Moments like this make words feel inadequate. Yet sometimes, words from another time speak directly to our own. In 1947, Dylan Thomas, watching his father slip toward death, penned lines that now resonate far beyond his own grief:

Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thomas was pleading for his father to resist the impending darkness of death. But those words have become a mandate for all of us: Do not surrender. Do not bow to shadows. Even when the battle feels unwinnable.

Charlie Kirk lived that mandate. He knew the cost of speaking unpopular truths. He knew the fury of those who sought to silence him. And yet he pressed on. In his life, he embodied a defiance rooted not in anger, but in principle.

Picking up his torch

Washington, Jefferson, Adams — our history was started by men who raged against an empire, knowing the gallows might await. Lincoln raged against slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. raged against segregation. Every generation faces a call to resist surrender.

It is our turn. Charlie’s violent death feels like a knockout punch. Yet if his life meant anything, it means this: Silence in the face of darkness is not an option.

He did not go gently. He spoke. He challenged. He stood. And now, the mantle falls to us. To me. To you. To every American.

We cannot drift into the shadows. We cannot sit quietly while freedom fades. This is our moment to rage — not with hatred, not with vengeance, but with courage. Rage against lies, against apathy, against the despair that tells us to do nothing. Because there is always something you can do.

Even small acts — defiance, faith, kindness — are light in the darkness. Reaching out to those who mourn. Speaking truth in a world drowning in deceit. These are the flames that hold back the night. Charlie carried that torch. He laid it down yesterday. It is ours to pick up.

The light may dim, but it always does before dawn. Commit today: I will not sleep as freedom fades. I will not retreat as darkness encroaches. I will not be silent as evil forces claim dominion. I have no king but Christ. And I know whom I serve, as did Charlie.

Two turning points, decades apart

On Wednesday, the world changed again. Two tragedies, separated by decades, bound by the same question: Who are we? Is this worth saving? What kind of people will we choose to be?

Imagine a world where more of us choose to be peacemakers. Not passive, not silent, but builders of bridges where others erect walls. Respect and listening transform even the bitterest of foes. Charlie Kirk embodied this principle.

He did not strike the weak; he challenged the powerful. He reached across divides of politics, culture, and faith. He changed hearts. He sparked healing. And healing is what our nation needs.

At the center of all this is one truth: Every person is a child of God, deserving of dignity. Change will not happen in Washington or on social media. It begins at home, where loneliness and isolation threaten our souls. Family is the antidote. Imperfect, yes — but still the strongest source of stability and meaning.

Mark Wilson / Staff | Getty Images

Forgiveness, fidelity, faithfulness, and honor are not dusty words. They are the foundation of civilization. Strong families produce strong citizens. And today, Charlie’s family mourns. They must become our family too. We must stand as guardians of his legacy, shining examples of the courage he lived by.

A time for courage

I knew Charlie. I know how he would want us to respond: Multiply his courage. Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins. Out of darkness, great and glorious things will sprout — but we must be worthy of them.

Charlie Kirk lived defiantly. He stood in truth. He changed the world. And now, his torch is in our hands. Rage, not in violence, but in unwavering pursuit of truth and goodness. Rage against the dying of the light.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Glenn Beck resurrects the 9-12 Project to support Charlie Kirk's family

Glenn Beck is once again calling on his loyal listeners and viewers to come together and channel the same unity and purpose that defined the historic 9-12 Project. That movement, born in the wake of national challenges, brought millions together to revive core values of faith, hope, and charity.

Glenn created the original 9-12 Project in early 2009 to bring Americans back to where they were in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. In those moments, we weren't Democrats and Republicans, conservative or liberal, Red States or Blue States, we were united as one, as America. The original 9-12 Project aimed to root America back in the founding principles of this country that united us during those darkest of days.

This new initiative draws directly from that legacy, focusing on supporting the family of Charlie Kirk in these dark days following his tragic murder.

The revival of the 9-12 Project aims to secure the long-term well-being of Charlie Kirk's wife and children. All donations will go straight to meeting their immediate and future needs. If the family deems the funds surplus to their requirements, Charlie's wife has the option to redirect them toward the vital work of Turning Point USA.

This campaign is more than just financial support—it's a profound gesture of appreciation for Kirk's tireless dedication to the cause of liberty. It embodies the unbreakable bond of our community, proving that when we stand united, we can make a real difference.
Glenn Beck invites you to join this effort. Show your solidarity by donating today and honoring Charlie Kirk and his family in this meaningful way.

You can learn more about the 9-12 Project and donate HERE

The critical difference: Rights from the Creator, not the state

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

When politicians claim that rights flow from the state, they pave the way for tyranny.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recently delivered a lecture that should alarm every American. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he argued that believing rights come from a Creator rather than government is the same belief held by Iran’s theocratic regime.

Kaine claimed that the principles underpinning Iran’s dictatorship — the same regime that persecutes Sunnis, Jews, Christians, and other minorities — are also the principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.

In America, rights belong to the individual. In Iran, rights serve the state.

That claim exposes either a profound misunderstanding or a reckless indifference to America’s founding. Rights do not come from government. They never did. They come from the Creator, as the Declaration of Independence proclaims without qualification. Jefferson didn’t hedge. Rights are unalienable — built into every human being.

This foundation stands worlds apart from Iran. Its leaders invoke God but grant rights only through clerical interpretation. Freedom of speech, property, religion, and even life itself depend on obedience to the ruling clerics. Step outside their dictates, and those so-called rights vanish.

This is not a trivial difference. It is the essence of liberty versus tyranny. In America, rights belong to the individual. The government’s role is to secure them, not define them. In Iran, rights serve the state. They empower rulers, not the people.

From Muhammad to Marx

The same confusion applies to Marxist regimes. The Soviet Union’s constitutions promised citizens rights — work, health care, education, freedom of speech — but always with fine print. If you spoke out against the party, those rights evaporated. If you practiced religion openly, you were charged with treason. Property and voting were allowed as long as they were filtered and controlled by the state — and could be revoked at any moment. Rights were conditional, granted through obedience.

Kaine seems to be advocating a similar approach — whether consciously or not. By claiming that natural rights are somehow comparable to sharia law, he ignores the critical distinction between inherent rights and conditional privileges. He dismisses the very principle that made America a beacon of freedom.

Jefferson and the founders understood this clearly. “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” they wrote. No government, no cleric, no king can revoke them. They exist by virtue of humanity itself. The government exists to protect them, not ration them.

This is not a theological quibble. It is the entire basis of our government. Confuse the source of rights, and tyranny hides behind piety or ideology. The people are disempowered. Clerics, bureaucrats, or politicians become arbiters of what rights citizens may enjoy.

John Greim / Contributor | Getty Images

Gifts from God, not the state

Kaine’s statement reflects either a profound ignorance of this principle or an ideological bias that favors state power over individual liberty. Either way, Americans must recognize the danger. Understanding the origin of rights is not academic — it is the difference between freedom and submission, between the American experiment and theocratic or totalitarian rule.

Rights are not gifts from the state. They are gifts from God, secured by reason, protected by law, and defended by the people. Every American must understand this. Because when rights come from government instead of the Creator, freedom disappears.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

POLL: Is Gen Z’s anger over housing driving them toward socialism?

NurPhoto / Contributor | Getty Images

A recent poll conducted by Justin Haskins, a long-time friend of the show, has uncovered alarming trends among young Americans aged 18-39, revealing a generation grappling with deep frustrations over economic hardships, housing affordability, and a perceived rigged system that favors the wealthy, corporations, and older generations. While nearly half of these likely voters approve of President Trump, seeing him as an anti-establishment figure, over 70% support nationalizing major industries, such as healthcare, energy, and big tech, to promote "equity." Shockingly, 53% want a democratic socialist to win the 2028 presidential election, including a third of Trump voters and conservatives in this age group. Many cite skyrocketing housing costs, unfair taxation on the middle class, and a sense of being "stuck" or in crisis as driving forces, with 62% believing the economy is tilted against them and 55% backing laws to confiscate "excess wealth" like second homes or luxury items to help first-time buyers.

This blend of Trump support and socialist leanings suggests a volatile mix: admiration for disruptors who challenge the status quo, coupled with a desire for radical redistribution to address personal struggles. Yet, it raises profound questions about the roots of this discontent—Is it a failure of education on history's lessons about socialism's failures? Media indoctrination? Or genuine systemic barriers? And what does it portend for the nation’s trajectory—greater division, a shift toward authoritarian policies, or an opportunity for renewal through timeless values like hard work and individual responsibility?

Glenn wants to know what YOU think: Where do Gen Z's socialist sympathies come from? What does it mean for the future of America? Make your voice heard in the poll below:

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism comes from perceived economic frustrations like unaffordable housing and a rigged system favoring the wealthy and corporations?

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism, including many Trump supporters, is due to a lack of education about the historical failures of socialist systems?

Do you think that these poll results indicate a growing generational divide that could lead to more political instability and authoritarian tendencies in America's future?

Do you think that this poll implies that America's long-term stability relies on older generations teaching Gen Z and younger to prioritize self-reliance, free-market ideals, and personal accountability?

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