I awakened this morning with the war in Iran on my mind, and the Lord’s decision to remove an evil entity from the Earth, in whole or in part. I felt like I should blog about it. It’s almost as much about words as bombs seemingly, in the world’s media. But what aspect of the complex but simple issue would the Spirit have me communicate, if any? I tried to communicate about it simply in the midst of “Rising Lion,” saying a simple way to see the correct side of the conflict, God’s side in the conflict, is, “Love Israel, and hate violence.” Or, “Love what God loves, and hate what God hates.”
Operation “Just Cause”
I’m somewhat conflicted in writing about the war. The Lord tells us to seek to live quiet and peaceful lives and work with our hands. The Scripture also tells us that Jesus, with spiritual warfare often swirling around him, simply “Went about doing good.” He stayed connected to His Father by early morning prayer in solitude and in nature. That’s what God wants for us, and of us, in our day of devices, distractions, speed, and screens. So we can live our best lives now in healthy relational, emotional, and spiritual ways. Those are the realms of the soul. We must care for our souls with intentional focus, actions, and habits. That’s the main thrust of my most recent book, God Stays Near.
It’s for these reasons I unplugged from TV news years ago and never looked back. It’s one of the best things I ever did for my soul and my relationship with God and others, as well as, enjoying life.
But this regional war waged against Israel for several years has erupted into a war with Iran. That has captured my attention for a number of reasons. I’m a former fighter pilot (F-4 & F-16), and the air-war tactics and execution naturally interests me. Anything to do with Israel on the world scene interests me from a prophecy standpoint, and because God’s faithfulness to the nation in preserving it and fighting against her enemies is a historical and biblical lesson on God’s faithfulness. This attribute of God is of the utmost importance to Israel, but also to the whole household of faith—Christ’s followers who enjoy the same promises, protection, presence, and provision from the same God.
To those who read the Bible often, the war makes perfect sense. It fits with how God has dealt with nations from ancient times to the present. That’s why I named this war “Just Cause.” I also like the fitting names Israel gave to “Rising Lion,” and to the present operation “Roaring Lion.” The US operation name “Epic Fury” also is fitting and descriptive. Yet behind it all is the God who rules and reigns over nations, and by his grace keeps us from destroying ourselves. He does so as he executes His judgments and justice, according to His Word, the Bible, and His plan stated in the same.
Purim 2026
This war kicked off during Purim. So it could be called the “Purim War.” Read the book of Esther in the Bible to gain a historical perspective of a war against the Jews in ancient Iran (Persia) circa 474 BC. You will see where and how the Jewish feast of Purim originates, celebrating the faithfulness of God through the millennia.
I find myself wondering how much Americans know about the ancient origins of the conflict and the modern landscape of nations and players in this struggle. I asked two older navy vets at my barbershop recently. They replied in similar fashion, “Well, we can’t let Iran get a nuclear weapon.”That’s true and probably the very biggest reason for the war.
Then I asked a young mother of three from our church. She replied, “I don’t really know what started it, the issues, or what’s going on.” I told her I wasn’t sure she needed to know those things. She’s caring for small children, her family, and holding down a job. Those things required all of her attention and that’s fine. I told her I’d send her a text highlighting the main points in case she wanted to know, and she said she’d love that.
Issues of the Purim War
Taylor, “It’s a just and needed war to dethrone a violent and evil regime wanting to destroy Israel as their main goal, and an active enemy of the United States. They were about to have a nuclear weapon, and certainly they have the will to use it. The regime is a cancer that needs be removed from the earth. They’ve been responsible for over a thousand US deaths in the past 50 years.
They continue to launch missiles and drones at civilians in Israel and their neighboring Arab states while the USA and Israel only target military targets and military infrastructure. It’s the 10th day of the war. The Lord has given the just-cause forces unusual, even supernatural, success. Hopefully the Iranian people will seize the opportunity to rid themselves of the evil regime and take back their country soon.
There is an underground church in Iran of maybe a million people. Pray in the midst of this Arab/Muslim war in the region, hearts will open to the Gospel of Jesus. And that God will have mercy on innocents and peace lovers as He brings justice on the violent murderers of this regime. That’s a thumbnail summary, and it’s certainly helpful to know which is the right side, and more important to be on the right side of such a war. I hope this helps with perspective and for prayer purposes.”
“…Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NASB1995)
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’” (Genesis 12:1-3)
“Then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land.” (Lev 26:42)
“O Lord, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the captivity of Jacob.” (Psalm 85:1)
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An Iranian Woman Speaks to the Press
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