Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from them that persecute me. Second only to the interest of that view of God as the Author of salvation through Christ, is this which ascribes to Him the presidency over all human affairs. I. IN WHAT SENSE THIS IS TRUE. 1. It is true of the times of men's entrance into the world, and their departure out of it. Hence the regular succession and perpetuity of the generations of men; and the appearance of men in the world with capacities and powers, exactly united to the age in which they live. If subtle adversaries against the truth appear, among their contemporaries, its most acute and intelligent defenders are found. And so of men's departure from this world: they not only come, but go at God's bidding. Till He give the command, nothing can force open the door of eternity for us; and when He does, nothing can keep us from entering it. It is said that the devil hath "the power of death." But this cannot mean natural death, for had he power over that, he would never suffer a bad man to live till he was converted, nor a good man afterwards. But it refers to the future death of torment which Satan as the executioner of Divine justice is commissioned to inflict. 2. It is true of the times of their worldly prosperity and adversity. We see this in the case of nations and empires, but it is true also of all the individuals comprising any nation. God fixes the bounds of every one's habitation and determines his lot. He does not interfere with the natural liberty of men, nor fail to allow, in a general way, for diligence and prudence to work out their own reward, and vice and idleness to bring their own punishment. Yet, the final issues of things depend entirely on His will. It is good to recognize this for, so, by a conviction of the Divine wisdom and goodness, we are the more ready to acquiesce in all providential arrangements. 3. It is true of the times of men's gracious visitation and instruction. These periods form our day of grace, Thus we read of the Church of Thyatira, that Christ gave her "space to repent," and we read of "a time when Thou mayest be found," and of the "time of visitation." In addition to these there are sermons of refreshment for the Church at large. We read of "set times to favour Zion." Such times are the cordials of life, catches of sunlight upon our spiritual prospect, the wells of water and the palms at which we arrive as we journey through the wilderness. II. WHAT ARE THE USES OF THIS DOCTRINE. 1. Men should learn to value the times of gracious visitation and use them well, lest God take them away. This He may do, by taking away our lives, or our sensibility, or the means of grace themselves. 2. Good people should be comforted, since their times are in God's hands. What have we to fear? 3. This truth should reconcile us to the stroke of death when it comes to ourselves or others. (J. Leifchild.) Parallel Verses KJV: My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.WEB: My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. |
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