Psalm 31:13-15, John 14:1, Romans 15:13, Psalm 62:8

Jeff Cutts

For I hear many whispering,
"Terror on every side!"
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hands;
Psalm 31:13-15

I have loads of photographs and some diaries and journals from years ago and sometimes will spend a bit of time looking through them; having a laugh at the fashion and hairstyles, remembering adventures with friends and reflecting on my life from then until now.

One of the most encouraging things is reading my thoughts and prayers from those years and seeing that the things that were big issues, worries and fears are different from today. Those things I was worried about and brought to the Lord and asked for help in I can see He DID help me with. Sometimes the situations changed, sometimes God gave me the strength and grace to come through those difficult times.

There were times I had no job and thought 'how will You provide'? There were times of great loneliness and I cried out 'will anyone love me'? There were times of homelessness and I worried 'how will we survive'? At times I wondered 'Lord, can you ever use me for Your glory'?

There were also times of short term missions, travel and adventure; times of God's miraculous intervention, times of pleasure and joy and happiness and fulfillment that still excite me when I remember them!

There were so many 'times' and I realise now that all those times were in His hands.

And so is today. This time is in HIS hands too.

I want to encourage you today - whatever time it is - to pray these words from Psalm 31 written by David. There may be situations that don't make sense to you right now; bring them to God and ask Him to help you trust Him. Let's acknowledge the reality of our difficulties and then pray:

'BUT I trust in you, LORD;
I say, "You are my God".
My times are in your hands.

Here are some other verses to reflect on:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
John 14:1

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8