May 20, 2026

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

The Singing Comes Second

The singing comes after the waiting.

Every morning, our daughter Hope recites her verse of the year, which is Psalm 40:3, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” It is a fitting verse for Hope, because she loves music and has a beautiful voice. It is an uplifting and triumphant way for her to begin the day, and the recitation of this promise is intended to be a proclamation of blessing over her.

It was only this week, however, that I realized the singing comes second. The singing—which is our focus as we encourage her to proclaim this promise—comes in verse three. Given the melodic exclamation of the verse, you might expect the first two verses of the chapter to be a buildup to verse three. They are in fact the exact opposite:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Ps. 40:1-2).

In other words, David—the author of this Psalm—didn’t come skipping and dancing into this new song as he did some others. He had to be lifted out of the slimy, muddy pit before he could sing it. He wasn’t running or even moving at all; He was patiently waiting.

The singing came after the waiting. The singing came second.

My friend, I know you are ready to sing. You desire a new song on your lips. You want your life to be a signpost by which others find faith in and relationship with the one true God. You want to sing, but instead you find yourself waiting in the pit of life, and you are tempted to despair. You are inclined to despise the waiting. This is not a condemnation, but rather a statement of association. I know this to be real because of my own life. I want the jubilation but so often find myself in a pit of waiting. From that place in the pit, I say to you:

Your singing comes just after your waiting!

Hold tight! (Heb. 10:23)

Persist! (Gal. 6:9)

Persevere! (Jam. 1:12)

Don’t be discouraged if your waiting feels long. That is real. Even the man after God’s own heart knew the feeling intimately. But know this: God has a new song for you to sing. It is a hymn of praise that will draw many to His name. It is yours to sing, and it is coming! But my friend, the singing comes immediately after the waiting you now know.

So loosen up those vocal cords! The singing comes second, and the waiting is drawing to an end!

World

Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after more than 500 illnesses and more than 100 deaths are believed to be linked to a rare strain of Ebola virus. Ebola outbreaks in the region are somewhat common, but this particular strain—known as Bundibugyo—has only been detected three times, and the current pace of the spread and intensity of its impact is significant.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Ebola is most commonly detected in sub-Saharan Africa and is usually carried first by animals. It is contagious human-to-human by way of close contact but is not airborne. The Bundibugyo strain involved in this outbreak does not have a known mitigating cure or vaccine to combat it. Those infected often experience intense flu-like symptoms and it is frequently fatal.

Prayer: “God, we come to you united in your son, Jesus, to ask your arms of comfort (Ps. 34:18) and care (Ps. 41:3) be wrapped around those suffering in the DRC region.

“Be with those who are sick, their loved ones, and those concerned for their health and wellbeing. You created each one (Ps. 139:13), and you are the Great Physician (Ps. 103:3) with the power to heal. We ask you to do a mighty work for your own glory!

“Be with those providing care and those making decisions for the well-being of the healthy. Give them wisdom beyond their human capacity and bless them for serving.

“Draw all those involved and those observing to your side. May this calamitous event be a catalyst for many to put their faith in you! Amen.”

Finally, you may be inclined to fear, given this decade’s experience with global pandemics and the related ramifications. Take heart! You serve a God who has granted a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind in the place of fear (2 Tim. 1:7)!

World

ISIS Leader Killed

The second in command of the terrorist group ISIS is dead after a joint operation conducted by the United States and Nigeria on Friday. Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as “the most active terrorist in the world,” was killed in the strike along with other ISIS leaders. The joint action comes after the U.S. designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” in October 2025, a designation which obligated the U.S. to determine appropriate mitigation and relief efforts. A U.S. strike in December also killed members of ISIS leadership.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Nigerian Christians are living in some of the most intense persecution in the world. Mass killings of entire Christian villages have been horrifically common, much of it at the hands of ISIS and related terrorist groups. The U.S. has been leading the effort to hold accountable those responsible, and the participation of Nigerian forces in this week’s operation is a significant sign of the Nigerian government’s increased commitment to eradicating the religious-based violence.

God’s Word instructs you and me to pray for those who are persecuted. In doing so, we are told to personally associate with those who are suffering: “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Heb 13:3).

Candidly, I find this command challenging. There is a significant difference between what is often labeled “persecution” in the U.S.—I think it’s more appropriate to call it “discrimination”—and the persecution evident in this story. Can you imagine your entire town or church being slaughtered in a mass grave behind the church in broad daylight? It is beyond my worst nightmares, and yet it is reality for many of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

How can you remember your Nigerian brothers and sisters “as if you were together with them” this week? Let’s endeavor as The Equipped family to enter in to a new level of intercessory prayer for the persecuted Church around the world!

U.S.

Mosque Shooting

Five people—three victims and two teenage suspects—are dead after a shooting at a San Diego mosque on Monday. Law enforcement was actively looking for one of the alleged shooters even before the attack began due to a concerned call from his mother. The teenager stole weapons and a family vehicle from his home, dressed in camouflage, and was joined by a second teen. The attack killed three men at the mosque, and both teens died from apparent self-inflicted wounds a short distance from the scene. Officials continue to investigate the attack, but evidence pointing to religious hatred as a motive was recovered at the scene.

Analysis and eternal perspective: We live in a world rife with brokenness. It goes without saying, and yet you and I hold the antidote for it. The strains and the fissures in our world get many labels—hate, mental illness, racism, etc.—and each of those evils are certainly a factor. But at its core, the brokenness in our world is rooted in a separation from the Creator God.

Every person—including you—was made on purpose and for a purpose by a loving God (Ps. 139:14, Jer. 1:5). When an evil act like this occurs, it is a clear sign that evil has been given a place of prominence over this Truth in an individual’s heart and mind.

When we say each person was made on purpose, it is a reminder of Psalm 139:14, which calls you “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

When we say each person was made for a purpose, we are harkening to Jeremiah 1:5 which tells us the Creator knew you and set you apart even before He made you!

But note the end of Psalm 139:14: “I know that full well.” Friends, that is our mandate this week—to help those around us fully grasp a soul-level knowledge of their intentional design! They, like you, are created, known, and loved by the very God who formed them! They, like you, were made on purpose and for a purpose! They, like you, have a need to know it full well!

The Beautiful

Even Underneath

There is beauty even in the disheveled of your life!

Isaiah 61:3 speaks of God redeeming your life’s chaos. It is where we read His promise to bestow beauty for ashes. But in line with our conversation today, He also promises “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

This perspective is so important when the circumstances of your life turn everything upside down! When you feel as though everything is amiss this week, take hold of the truth that there is beauty underneath it all!

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