The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - The Third Sunday of Advent
To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 5, Day 3 - God Answers in His Time and in His Way
Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8–9
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:8–9
We weak human beings have a tendency to present our plans to God and expect him to bless them. Those plans may spring from the best of intentions, but if they are not God’s plans, they are empty and meaningless. Just as Elijah came to the mountain expecting God to answer him as he had answered Moses many years before, we often come to God expecting him to respond to our prayers in predictable ways. But God’s ways and his timing are all his own, and they are perfect. He will answer us, but in the way and at the time that is truly best for us and for his ultimate glory.
The end game of God’s love is the salvation of our souls, the perfection of our hearts, and the completion of our journeys according to his will. We are called to yield to his perfect power, love, and majesty. He is God and we are not. We must trust that his love for us will provide no other answer than the one that is the best for our souls.
Questions for Reflection
When have you brought your plans to God expecting him to bless them? How did that turn out?
When have you yielded your goals and desires to the greater good and the glory of God? What was the result?
How has surrendering to God’s will made you a better disciple of Christ?
Praying with Scripture
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
yes, wait for the LORD! (Ps 27:14)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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About the Author
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
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