To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 1, Day 2 - A Cultivator is a Man of Integrity
To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 2, Day 3 – God Brings Stillness to Our Troubled Times
Open the gates,
that the righteous nation which keeps faith
may enter in.
You keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD for ever,
for the LORD GOD
is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:2–4
We all face personal struggles, whether they be physical, emotional, financial, or relational. We can’t avoid it. In fact, Jesus told us that we would face such trials; but we can rest because he has overcome the world (see Jn 16:33). Such promises help to sustain us when we face the tough times and fear we will falter under the pressure. God opens the door to his powerful presence and brings us to a place of peace.
God may not remove our troubles right away (or at all), but he loves us and is working out our salvation as we weather the storms of life. As we strive to seek the face of God when life throws its worst at us, we become caught up in the peace of Christ. We rest in that place where those who trust in God come to dwell. We become part of the ongoing story of recovery, righteousness, and rest, a story that shines upon the world and lights the way for all those who will come after us.
Questions for reflection
When have you experienced the perfect peace of God in the midst of a difficult struggle?
Why is it important to keep our faith strong and focus our minds on the peace of God when we are facing trials and tribulations?
How can you bring the precious presence of Christ into the life of a brother who is struggling today?
Praying with Scripture
And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mk 4:39)
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.
