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Matthew 8:25 – And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." (ESV)
I sit here with incredulity, having read the latest world news. I could say "with disbelief", but currently, the news is totally believable. On the world stage today, there is a move by some to let the aggressor win. The weak have no answer to contest the outcomes because might is right, purely by its outcomes rather than by any morality. It seems to me there is no longer much appetite to pay the price in lives or money for justice. That tendency has been growing since the turn of this century. Back in the 1980s, I forecast this to some of my then youth group members. As time passes, we forget or demote the outcomes and trauma of World War II. In time of need, we have become feckless. The United Nations has been shown to be found wanting, as previous history showed its predecessor, the League of Nations, to be. History repeats itself.
Back in Jesus' time, Rome followed Greece in conquering and taking over the Mediterranean world. Life was lived under the constant threat of violent rule. People in Judea looked to anyone, including Jesus, who could rise up and save them, to bring them out from under brutal oppression and corruption, but were disappointed when He died — and for some, their hope died with Him.
It seems nothing has changed or evolved for the better in the way humanity has acted over the preceding two millennia. In dark times, might has become right, and financial expediency has become more important than moral obligation and justice.
In the retrospective of several decades, however, the improvement in my personal circumstances has taught me that even when we think that God is absent or silent, He is still steadily working. We may not see what God is doing with us, but Jesus' oversight has eternal vision!
At that time, I was bitterly upset with my circumstances, and through that lens, it was hard to see how Jesus could be working. Yet for me, 25 years later, I know Jesus was moving to heal and restore my trust in myself and in His total commitment to accept me and not to give up on our relationship. It is always true for those who have the ears to hear: Jesus saves.
The road ahead may not be easy for our world. It was the same two thousand years ago: the promise of Jesus has always been to be with us continually, facilitated by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls us to trust in His unfailing love, no matter how things appear.
Matthew 8:26 – And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (ESV)
We have an amazing God. Keep the faith!
Prayer: Father, in times of weakness and oppression, strengthen us so that we may be more willing to follow You. In our days ahead, grant us wisdom to see the need in those who travel alongside us, and Your grace to stand up as we walk in step with them. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Thanks Rod, blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thank you. This was a great message and perfectly timed for me.
I appreciate your support of this ministry.
Rod, I share your concerns and observations. May God have mercy on us all and give us strength to do right where we are.
Many thanks for the history reminder and for your words of hope in these difficult times. May God intervene before any more harm is done. God bless!
Thank you, Rod. I, too, can look back over 40 years ago when I couldn’t see how God was working after a bitter divorce. But he was there all the time, I just had to find him!
Exactly! We have nothing to fear. Our God is faithful and will be with us in whatever circumstances we encounter. Thank you for this devotional.
Blessings.
Hello
Yes, I am thankful God is Good no matter the situation. He has the last day, and He is in control.
God bless.
Good morning, Roderick,
Thank you for today’s message. “Jesus saves and we have an amazing God.” Amen!
Blessings.
Well done, Rod, and so appropriate for the last of your devotionals that we’ll read. The world around us is indeed bleak, but we can trust our loving heavenly Father to care for us through all of the days ahead of us.
Blessings to you, friend!
Good morning, it’s a very nice day,
Thank you for writing this devotional.
Doom and gloom.
We shall rise again.
Blessings.
Dear Rod,
Your heartfelt message of how Jesus was working for you even when you didn’t realize it, is so important in the world we are living in now. Jesus is walking with us or carrying us as He promised. Thank you for reminding us all that our trust in God gives us the hope and strength to reach out and with God’s love. We are all strengthened when we hear how God has been there for us. Blessings.
Thank you for writing an aptly appropriate column for today. I too feel things are going off the rails in the world and oddly feel personally that the hand of God has never left me.
The pleasure of reading each fresh devotional has been to try and guess who the author might be before reading the name at the end. Today two other names came to me before I read yours. Thanks for all your contributions over the years.
(ON)
Thank you, Rod, for your devotional writing today and sharing about your past feelings of “trust”. Yes, there sure are times in our daily lives when we can wonder just how things are going to work out. We can even have feelings of abandonment and wonder if the Lord is really listening to our prayers. However, we must remain strong and patient and in doing so we then see what the Lord really had in mind for us and for the very best reasons. He truly gives us the best outcomes in our lives and is ever deserving of our trust and faithfulness. Blessings for these writings you prepare and share with us.
Morning Greetings, Rod,
I am a newcomer to PresbyCan. I started a couple of years back after a recommendation from an elder at my church in Ottawa.
You and your writers are a treasured morning companion.
The daily email, the reading and teachings, have inspired and comforted me.
PresbyCan sets me up for the day and our fraught world.
I have been a comfortable Presbyterian since a child, yet it has only been a few years since I have been going to bible study and reading this morning devotional.
I am spiritually richer at 74 than in my youth, while raising our family… who are now in their 40s.
There is so much more to learn in this over-busy world.
I am keenly aware how fragile our church relevance is and our outreach will become with the ending of this tangible teachings of our Lord.
The church will take a big step backwards to invisibility in a time when there is so much unrest.
It is unsettling. Frightening. And makes me uneasy as our chairs at church support white haired members yearning to see a return of younger families and their children.
I fear this is another clear sign our church is in danger of fading away in a world of unrest, violence and superficiality.
Rod, you have reigned over an admirable ministry.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching into my heart and mind to love our Lord and be a kinder person in this material world.
Rod, Brilliant insights into the current state of the world, from a biblical perspective! Thanks.
Devotional very nicely said. Thanks to all who made it possible.