Post by Les on Jul 2, 2023 12:01:56 GMT -5
Secure in God's Hands By: Anne Le Tissier
Click here for the Audio Message
But I trust in you, Lord; . . . My times are in your hands.
Psalm 31:14–15
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 31:1–4, 9–24
It was the last thing Monica expected after thirty-three years of marriage: her husband announced he was leaving. This threatened her home, her income, her future pension and, not least, the companionship of the man she loved. His rejection sowed feelings of deep inadequacy. Devastated, she feared the loss of friends, and her new identity as a divorcee filled her with shame.
For hours Monica sat with God as her world caved in, overwhelmed by grief and stress. But God’s Word still held true: He still had a plan for her. She was not in her husband’s hands: her changing times were in God’s hands. She could trust Him for help, comfort and provision, just like David had done in Psalm 31.
David felt hunted, rejected and isolated by the threats against him (Psalm 31:4,11–13). In “soul and body” he was utterly drained by his distress (vv. 9–10). But his hope was in God: his “refuge” of righteousness, deliverance and guidance (vv. 1–3). David could trust in God, despite his circumstances, because he believed his times were in God’s hands (vv. 14–15).
“How abundant are the good things that [God] has stored up” for us (v. 19). As we wait for the fulfilment, we can take refuge “in the shelter of [His] presence” (v. 20). And as we affirm who God is, we are strengthened and encouraged for whatever we may face (vv. 21–24).
Reflect & Pray
Which of Monica and David’s fears or emotions do you most identify with? How does the knowledge that God sees, cares and promises to provide help you receive His peace, strength and reassurance?
Father, I choose to believe Your promises as a reality to grasp hold of. Thank You for reassuring me that my life is in no other hands but Yours.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Psalm 31, David describes himself as broken pottery (v. 12)—an apt picture of humanity, for we’re frail vessels easily broken. We see this portrayal of humans as pottery and God as the Potter throughout Scripture (Psalm 2:9; Romans 9:21; Revelation 2:27). In Jeremiah 18:1–10, we read of the Potter’s ability to create, preserve, tear down, and reshape people and nations (see also Isaiah 41:25; 45:9). Yet as Isaiah declares, “You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (64:8). God as our Creator longs to preserve and restore His people (Psalm 31:23–24).
Alyson Kieda
Psalm 31:1-4
King James Version
31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
Psalm 31:9-24
King James Version
9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Click here for the Audio Message
But I trust in you, Lord; . . . My times are in your hands.
Psalm 31:14–15
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Psalm 31:1–4, 9–24
It was the last thing Monica expected after thirty-three years of marriage: her husband announced he was leaving. This threatened her home, her income, her future pension and, not least, the companionship of the man she loved. His rejection sowed feelings of deep inadequacy. Devastated, she feared the loss of friends, and her new identity as a divorcee filled her with shame.
For hours Monica sat with God as her world caved in, overwhelmed by grief and stress. But God’s Word still held true: He still had a plan for her. She was not in her husband’s hands: her changing times were in God’s hands. She could trust Him for help, comfort and provision, just like David had done in Psalm 31.
David felt hunted, rejected and isolated by the threats against him (Psalm 31:4,11–13). In “soul and body” he was utterly drained by his distress (vv. 9–10). But his hope was in God: his “refuge” of righteousness, deliverance and guidance (vv. 1–3). David could trust in God, despite his circumstances, because he believed his times were in God’s hands (vv. 14–15).
“How abundant are the good things that [God] has stored up” for us (v. 19). As we wait for the fulfilment, we can take refuge “in the shelter of [His] presence” (v. 20). And as we affirm who God is, we are strengthened and encouraged for whatever we may face (vv. 21–24).
Reflect & Pray
Which of Monica and David’s fears or emotions do you most identify with? How does the knowledge that God sees, cares and promises to provide help you receive His peace, strength and reassurance?
Father, I choose to believe Your promises as a reality to grasp hold of. Thank You for reassuring me that my life is in no other hands but Yours.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Psalm 31, David describes himself as broken pottery (v. 12)—an apt picture of humanity, for we’re frail vessels easily broken. We see this portrayal of humans as pottery and God as the Potter throughout Scripture (Psalm 2:9; Romans 9:21; Revelation 2:27). In Jeremiah 18:1–10, we read of the Potter’s ability to create, preserve, tear down, and reshape people and nations (see also Isaiah 41:25; 45:9). Yet as Isaiah declares, “You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (64:8). God as our Creator longs to preserve and restore His people (Psalm 31:23–24).
Alyson Kieda
Psalm 31:1-4
King James Version
31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
Psalm 31:9-24
King James Version
9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.