To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 5, Day 3 – Our New Self Has No Need for Falsehood
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But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1–3
When we go through trials, sometimes it may feel as though God has abandoned us and that the suffering we are enduring will consume us. Yet as we have considered time and time again in this study, God strengthens us in our trials and allows them to shape us for the kingdom. Jesus warns us that in this life we will have troubles. But we can take courage because he has overcome the world (see Jn 16:33).
God is with us through our trials. The One who has redeemed us and called us by name walks with us through the rising waters and the raging fires of adversity. He will not allow our struggles to consume us. Rather, he refines us in the fires of trials so that our faith may be made genuine and our lives will be a source of praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed. We must remember that we were created to reflect perfectly the glory of God. We are called to rise above and press on through the sorrows of this life so that we can become saints who radiate the glory of our heavenly Father for all eternity.
Questions for reflection
How has the testing of your faith made you a more genuine Catholic man?
What is one thing you have learned from witnessing God’s grace in in the midst of trials?
How does living for the glory of God change your whole perspective on your worth?
Praying with Scripture
Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. (Jas 1:12)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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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.
