Psalm 31:15 “My times are in your hands;”
[A strong declaration of God’s great powers, of His sovereignty at work–and of our weakness. We cannot control our times, our lives or the events that come into them, but God actively, intimately and lovingly works to bring to us what is best for us–both in the big picture and in the tiny details. This is a further reason to trust Him fully through praise before any answer to our cry comes.
As it says in Psalm 33:18-20 “…the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.”]
Psalm 31:15b-16, “deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”
[David unwaveringly looks to the right place, to the right One for help, and for the right reason: God’s unfailing love. He is confident that God is going to answer. As David said in Psalm 27:13-14 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
[And David consistently saw God’s protection and provision. He was in dozens, if not hundreds of battles, with no mention of ever being wounded. And he died of old age in his bed, having seen God’s deliverance all through his life.
Praise you, Lord God, that no matter how bad things appear, you are going to bring positive and constructive happenings out of them as we join you in faith.
I give thanks, Lord God, for your care and protection, your grace-filled help in each difficulty, and for your allowing challenges into our lives to deepen, mature and equip us.
Help us to keep our eyes on you this day. I bow before you, O Lord God, wanting to give you the honor due your Name by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in all.]