To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 4 – Out on the Highways
To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 2 – When Things Fall Apart
Photo by Andre Portolesi on Unsplash
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”
Psalms 46:1–3
These are troubling times. We face war, terrorism, deep political and ideological divisions, and a host of struggles that tear at the fabric of our society and challenge our Catholic faith. It can be overwhelming at times. As men, we wish we could face these fights head on and find real solutions and lasting peace; but no matter what we do, things seem to be getting worse.
It is difficult to see how struggles are a part of the legacy we will leave behind.
No matter what happens, God is in control of our lives. He is the rock upon which our faith stands. Keeping this truth in focus allows us to let go and accept our need for God. This week, we will reflect on five core truths about God’s presence and action in our lives:
1. The shaking of the earth does not shake God.
Psalm 46 contrasts the all-powerful strength of the Lord with the raging “temper tantrum” of the earth. Even when it seems that all is falling apart around us, we can always look to the One who never is shaken.
2. God’s presence remains rock-steady.
Not only is God powerful, he is powerfully present in our world and in each of our lives. He never leaves us, for he is the rock that can never be moved. No matter what we face today, God remains our refuge in the storm.
3. God brings stillness to our troubled times.
Even in our greatest moments of struggle, God’s promises can bring an overwhelming sense of peace to our hearts. He is our refuge, and in his arms we find rest from our weariness and recovery from our sorrow.
4. With a word, God can bring the fury of our fight to an end.
The daily battles we fight, some serious and some less so, can cause us to become caught up in a spirit of conflict and forget that we are traveling to a hopeful future where all wars and conflicts will cease. If we listen carefully, we can hear the Lord whispering a word that will bring our restless fight to a peaceful resolution.
5. We live in the City of God.
Even in the chaos and violence of the world, we can look to the City of God, where we hope to live for all eternity. We begin our communion in the heavenly city even now, as members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
A Call to Action
When we are struggling with loss, illness, division, sin, or pride, and when the world and its institutions are crumbling before our very eyes, we can rest in the perfect truth that God forever remains our refuge and our strength. This week, strive to find your steady place in the midst of life’s storms. Find ways to invite the power and presence of God into the chaos of life. Spend time with your Father, talking about your fears and struggles.
Knowing that God brings good out of our trusting surrender — not just for us, but for everyone in our lives — helps us to move forward along the stream of salvation to the place where all the noise and clamor of life will give way to the voice of our Savior calling us home. This week, let surrender guide your steps every day. Allow God’s eternal will to draw you closer to Christ and his Church. Reflect on the future happiness to which you are called by your faith in Jesus, and let God show you the role he wants you to play in bringing souls to this same happiness.
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series 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.
