Reading: Psalm 31:14-18
But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
Let me not be put to shame, LORD,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and be silent in the realm of the dead.
Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous (NIV).*
Prairie tracks — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
Yesterday I made a trip to the hospital to visit a neighbor from down my street who is dying due to a brain tumor. Today, I just returned from visiting another neighbor who is dying due to heart failure. About ten years ago this medical missionary had a heart transplant. Now that heart is being rejected, and she has less than a year to live. Making matters more dire, she has a thirteen-year-old son and a ten-year-old daughter.
David spoke the truth when he declared, “My times are in your hands.” We have no idea—no certainty about what tomorrow will bring. Will it bring life or death, joy or sorrow, pain or ecstasy, excitement or boredom? Our times are in His hands. We devise our plans, but ultimately the LORD determines the outcome. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).
As if to prove my point, as I went online to search for the Proverbs passage quoted above, I discovered Canada’s former finance minister, Jim Flaherty, had suddenly died of a heart attack. While to non-Canadian readers the name Jim Flaherty may mean nothing, to those who live in the true north strong and free Mr. Flaherty was a well-known and well-respected leader who piloted Canada through the Great Recession with consummate skill. He retired just one month before his sudden passing. Mr. Flaherty’s times were in His—that is God’s hands.
But we can easily forget our times are in God’s hands. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another (Psalm 75:7). He determines the length of our days. That’s why the opening words of this psalm portion are so important. David asserts, “But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.'”
In life and in death He is Lord. Put your trust in Him for today, for tomorrow and for all eternity.
Response: LORD God, I do not know what the future holds for me, but like David, I put my trust in you. Guide me in your ways. My life is in your hands. Amen.
Your Turn: How long do you think you have on this earth? Are you ready for eternity?
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
![BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]](https://davidkitz.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/bgbg_v4.3_1501818.jpg?w=529)
Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.
I love the Psalms 
I really enjoyed this meditation especially with those train tracks running off past the horizon! Thanks David
I took that photo in August while visiting my sisters in my birth province, Saskatchewan. We are all on track for eternity regardless of our perspective. It’s a comforting thought to know Jesus is waiting at the end of the line.
As small as the earth is when compared to the universe it still seems overwhelming enormous when looking at those tracks disappearing into the distance!
Thanks. David, for the reminder that our time is in His hands, not ours, and for that, I am very thankful. Knowing that He holds tomorrow gives me strength to go through today.
Those are wise words, Wally. Thank you.
This is a timely call to use what time we have wisely for His Kingdom. Personally based on average age of death in my family, I have about twenty years left on this earth.
Until my collapse and triple-valve-repair open heart surgery last year I was expecting to make it to 90+ years. My Mother turns 99 on December 28th, and my Dad died at 80 after ruining his health by smoking, so with better personal health practices I thought 90 was assured. I am much less confident now.
But I am confident in the One who will greet me at the end of my journey.
Yes, let’s use the time we are granted wisely in His service.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.