#ourCOG Daily Brief [February 26, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for February 26, 2026.

Today in U.S. news, President Trump’s consideration of an Iran strike sparked debate, with some lawmakers pushing for Congress to have a role, while others questioned the clarity of the administration’s justification. Meanwhile, prominent U.S. universities are preparing for significant endowment tax hikes in fiscal year 2026, leading to cuts in programs like PhDs and libraries. Concerns also emerged regarding the increasing number of satellites in orbit, with astronomers warning against creating a “dumping ground” in space. Politically, Trump’s State of the Union speech aimed to portray a “winning” America, seeking to translate perceived successes into GOP midterm votes. On the world stage, the investigation into Prince Andrew continues to put the British monarchy under scrutiny, potentially ushering in a new era for the institution. In Iran, courageous student protests are ongoing despite the regime’s lethal suppression and harsh rhetoric, and amid heightened U.S.-Cuba tensions, a recent shoot-out involving Cuban exiles has raised new questions.

Next, we look at our recent video content. You can catch up on our latest teachings including “The Exercise of Faith Believe Without Understanding,” a chapel message from Wes Lutes recorded on February 26, 2026, and “Our Foundational Faith Rooted in God’s Sovereignty.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13,” “Church Files Emergency Appeal to Resume Worship,” “‘The Bible Recap’ Hits Top 100 on Apple Podcasts,” and “Multi Million Dollar Gift Launches New Era for SMCH.”

In prophecy news, a striking convergence of a blood moon, planetary parade, and solar eclipse around Purim has many asking if the Messianic era is near, especially as the U.S. and Iran signal readiness for war, with Trump setting a nuclear deal deadline around Purim. This comes as Ukraine’s allies continue to call for an unconditional ceasefire, and as “rogue federal judges” are reportedly challenging presidential authority. Reports also suggest President Trump is mulling targeted strikes against Iran, potentially escalating to a larger attack if diplomatic efforts fail.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at February 27th, we note the birth of Constantine the Great, the Roman Emperor whose adoption of Christianity as the state religion marked a significant, and often negative, turning point for Jews in Europe. On the same date, in 380, Theodosius I, Gratian, and Valentinian II jointly issued The Edict of Thessalonica, solidifying Christianity as the Roman Empire’s state religion. Later, in 1514, King Sigismund I appointed Michael Yosefovich as “senior” of all Lithuanian Jews, and in 1562, Pius IV issued a papal bull confirming earlier restrictions on where Jews could reside.