Verse of the Day 2/16

Verse of the Day 2/16

Psalm 31:14-15   But I trust in you, O Lord;

    I say, "You are my God."
¹⁵ My times are in your hand;
    rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!    English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verses came my from my daily reading through the Psalms.  The verses are a powerful reminder that "my times" are in His hands.  It should be a comfort to us during the various "seasons" of life, the joys and the sorrows.  Psalm 31:15 also came up in the "Grace Gems" devotional for today, a coincidence?  No, it is just part of His timing. 

Charles Spurgeon writes:

"My times." Not one or two important epochs of my history only--but everything that concerns me:
  joys that I had not expected,
  sorrows that must have crushed me, if they could have been anticipated,
  sufferings which might have terrified me by their grimness, had I looked upon them,
  surprises which infinite love had prepared for me,
  services of which I could not have imagined myself capable--
all these lay in that mighty hand, as the purposes of God's eternal will for me.

But, as they have developed gradually and silently--how great has been the love which appeared enwrapping and enfolding each one!
Has not the grief been measured--while the gladness has far more abounded?
Have not the comforts and consolations--exceeded the crosses and afflictions?
Have not all things been so arranged, and ordered, and undertaken, and worked out on our behalf--that we can but marvel at the goodness and wisdom of God, in meting out from that dear hand of His, all the "times" that have passed over us?

He is not only there with us; He is for us and has surprises of love in store for us, not in the years of time alone, but for eternity.

Over the past few days one of my favorite songs  from Boston has been on my mind.  The verses and Spurgeon's comments brought back the last lines from that song, "Gonna Hitch a Ride".

Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side
Leave it all behind
Never change my mind
Gonna sail away
Sun lights another day
Freedom on my mind
Carry me away for the last time

One day we'll be able to look over all of those times that have been in His hands and He will carry us away for the last times to be with Him forever.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Psalm 31:14-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁴ But I trust in You, Lord;
I say, "You are my God."
¹⁵ The course of my life is in Your power;
deliver me from the power of my enemies
and from my persecutors.
¹⁶ Show Your favor to Your servant;
save me by Your faithful love.
¹⁷ Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on You.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them be silent^[a][b] in Sheol.
¹⁸ Let lying lips be quieted;
they speak arrogantly against the righteous
with pride and contempt.

¹⁹ How great is Your goodness
that You have stored up for those who fear You
and accomplished in the sight of everyone
for those who take refuge in You.