March 4, 2026

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

The True

Be of Good Courage

“Be of good courage” (Josh. 1:9)!

What is your first reaction to that rather cheery and downright optimistic command from scripture? Be of good courage! No qualifiers or precursors (though the justification that follows—“for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—is about as strong as it gets), but simply an instruction to gird up, buck up, and keep your chin up!

It sounds great, but how does it mix with the reality of your world today?

This verse was our daughter Hope’s verse of the year last year, and she recited it every morning. Many mornings, the question I posed for you above is the one that would run through my mind as she recited.

I want to be optimistic, but death and destruction are at my doorstep.

I want courage, but the things around me are downright scary.

I know You say You are with me, but it sure feels like the enemy is closing in.

On and on it would go. My thought life was absolutely robbing me of my peace (and to be honest, it is something I still have to guard against).

Can you relate? When you hear, “Be of good courage,” does your mind immediately wander to the very many reasons in your life to not be courageous? If so, today’s reminder is for you, and it is this:

God’s courage, God’s refreshing, and God’s rest is time and time again offered first to the weary!

Seriously! To be clear, God’s saving grace is for everyone and His desire is that none would perish (2 Pet. 3:9). But His courage, refreshing, and rest is rushed first to those who are weary:

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jer. 31:25).

"He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake" (Ps. 23:3).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is. 40:29-31).

These are but a few of the times God expresses an understanding that you are weak and weary. Far from being unaware of the weight of your burdens, He knows them because He bore them! It is not the absence of weariness or affliction that allows you to be courageous, but rather the fact that His restoration and refreshing is designed for your place and time of weariness.

He knows the world you live in is not at peace.

He knows there is a battle waging for your heart and mind, and that of your family.

He knows you feel surrounded on all sides and are weary from the battle.

He knows, and He has prioritized His strength for exactly those moments, which is why He calls you to be of good courage!

Your weariness is real, as are the challenges you will confront today. But the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, so be of good courage!

World

War in Iran

The United States and Israel conducted a joint bombing campaign in Iran on Saturday which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and numerous other regime leadership. After the initial wave attack, the U.S. and Israel have continued widescale attacks across Iran. According to the White House, the attacks are aimed at regime infrastructure and facilities used to develop a nuclear weapons program. U.S. President Donald Trump said the bombing campaign is likely to last 4-5 weeks.

The Iranian military responded by launching attacks across the region, including against multiple targets in Israel and several U.S. military installations. Iran is expected to select a new Supreme Leader, though the ongoing attacks complicate that likelihood, with surviving regime members in hiding. President Trump called on freedom-loving Iranians to seize this opportunity to take control and chart a new path for Iran.

Analysis and eternal perspective: War is a terrible thing. It has also been a reality since the early days of creation. Whether and when to engage in acts of war is a question that is being considered in some portion of the world at every moment of every day. The current decision by the U.S. and Israel will be met with enthusiastic supporters relieved the oppressive Khamenei reign is over, and by vocal critics leery of foreign entanglement and the possibility of regional war or worse.

Both views have merit.

The Iranian regime is responsible for mass suffering and death, including its own people. It has long been the leading state sponsor of terror and has repeatedly used violence to spread its Islamic ideology. It openly acknowledges a goal of eliminating the Jewish state of Israel and destroying the U.S. The Iranian people have suffered greatly—both economically and in terms of human rights—under the oppressive theocratic leadership. The world will not miss the regime.

Simultaneously, it is unclear where the current conflict will lead, both in Iran and beyond. It is a very open question whether the Iranian people will be able to secure a brighter and freer future, and it is equally unclear whether regional peace will be attainable in the near future. In the U.S., lawmakers are grappling with whether or not a formal declaration of war (or a war powers resolution) is needed.

As a Jesus follower, there is a lot to unpack. For today, consider the following:

1) Jesus loves you and every person on every side of this escalating violence with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

2) God created every person, including the Iranian people who have for so long been under the thumb of oppression, with a heart inclined to freedom (Gal. 5:1).

3) Even as “wars and rumors of wars” escalate, your eternity is secure, and by standing firm in Jesus you will be saved (Matt. 24:6-13).

You may be tempted to fear in the days ahead. Choose instead to pray. Pray for the people living in a combat zone, and for the leaders charged with making life and death decisions. Remember, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18).

U.S.

Clintons Deposed

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were both deposed this week by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in conjunction with the ongoing investigation into the predatory actions of Jeffrey Epstein. The former Secretary of State testified to never having met Epstein, while the former President acknowledged an “acquaintance” with Epstein but denied any wrongdoing.

Analysis and eternal perspective: If it wasn’t clear before the recent release of additional evidence, it certainly is now: The nefarious and despicable actions carried out by Epstein and his associates implicated a very large number of powerful people all around the world. Some (i.e., the former Prince Andrew, who has been arrested on charges related to Epstein) are facing legal charges, while others (like former President Clinton) are for now facing reputational harm because of associating with Epstein.

As with many things, this has become a political story for many. For Jesus followers, the commands of Isaiah 1:17 (“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”) should be applied regardless of political party or societal standing. Those who were complicit in these evil acts should be held to account, full stop.

One of the very dangerous byproducts of viewing everything through the lens of political advantage is that it very seriously hamstrings a free republic’s ability to defend the oppressed through justice and accountability. Let’s together as followers of Jesus affirm—and continually reaffirm—our commitment to pursuing justice for the oppressed, regardless of who gets the political upper hand as a result.

U.S.

AI Spat at the Pentagon

The U.S. Department of War (DOW) has labeled the Artificial Intelligence company Anthropic as a “supply chain risk.” The announcement comes after the DOW tried to negotiate use of Anthropic’s technology but would not agree to Anthropic’s insistence the technology not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. The DOW was pushing for an “all lawful purposes” standard, and its designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk threatens the company’s ability to work with others who do business with the U.S. government.

Analysis and eternal perspective: You should expect many stories in this vein in the days, weeks, and months ahead as world powers race for AI dominance and people everywhere grapple with whether, where, and how to restrain the emerging technology. This story is evidence of just how intense those debates will be, as even a proposed restriction on mass surveillance and autonomous weapons triggered not just a failed negotiation but also a retaliatory governmental strike at Anthropic’s ability to do business.

Meanwhile, on a personal level, how will you use AI? Where should it expand your horizons, and where should your personal limits be set? We will not settle those very big questions here and now, but God’s Word encourages you to understand the times (Eph. 5:15-17) and to be wise about stewarding your unique capacities and giftings (Ex. 35:31-35, Eph. 2:10, Col. 3:23, 1 Tim. 4:14). You should proactively spend time in God’s presence asking for wisdom to steward both your giftings and emerging technology. Your heavenly Father has promised to hear and grant such a request (Jam. 1:5)!

God has given mankind an extraordinary ability to expand our knowledge of His magnificent created universe. In my book My Fame, His Fame, I explore how this journey into the unknown helps us discover the vastness and mystery of our God. It is a very good thing to pursue a deeper knowledge of the Creator’s world. Even so, there are certain things He vested intentionally into mankind, chief among them that we would have relationship with, and worship, Him (Is. 43:21). If and when any new horizon offers a substitute for that pinnacle purpose, we should exercise wisdom in holding fast to the intimate relational purpose endowed in us.

“The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Is. 43:21).

The Beautiful

Upside-Down Sweetness

I know. The world is upside-down. You see it all around you. Guess what? None of it catches your God off-guard. He is not surprised by it and has in fact told you in advance to expect it (Jn. 16:33). He has also prepared goodness and sweetness and beauty for you smack-dab in the middle of it (Ps. 23:5).

So where will your attention—and the resulting object of your affection—be this week? Will it be on the chaos? Or will it be on the beauty He has provided? The two things are in the same physical location, but the one you choose to prioritize will determine whether your world is upright or upside-down.

Choose beauty!