MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND

         Sometimes life comes at us hard and unexpectedly.  We never know what a day will bring ... a serious accident ...  a change in employment ... a devastating physical diagnosis ... an unexpected bill ... a broken relationship ...  the death of a relative or friend ...  or even one of the simpler challenges that come our way so often.  We can become discouraged or depressed.  We wonder why.  We wonder if there is really any hope.  As hard as it might seem, in times like these we need to rely on the firm foundation that we have in Christ and remember that our times are really in His hand.  He is in control and we need to cast all of our care upon Him.  Romans 8:28 reminds us "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."  Actually I had never heard this week's song before until a friend recently sent it to me.  When I received it we had just learned of two serious medical problems and received two unexpected bills.  The words of the song reminded me of the truth of these scriptures.  One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 where we are reminded that "...we are his workmanship ...".  And I know that a perfect God would not create something defective or let it fall apart.  "My times are in Thy hand." Psalm 31:15.  It was William F. Lloyd (1791-1824) who penned this week's song in 1824.   Mr. Lloyd was involved in the work of the Sunday School, almost from its beginning. He was born about ten years after Robert Raikes began this ministry, and Lloyd was attracted to it since boyhood. He taught in a Sunday School, and wrote many books and curriculum materials for this group. He was later appointed as a secretary of the British Sunday School Union.   In 1851, Lloyd published a book of poems called Thoughts in Rhyme. In it was this little verse which sums up the faith behind the longer hymn we're looking at:

Each future scene to God I leave,

Enough for me to know,

He can from every evil save,

And every good bestow.

His song is a good reminder.  Are you living in the knowledge that your times are in His hand?  Do you leave your life, your friends and your soul entirely in His care?  Our Father's hand will never cause his child a needless tear.

1      My times are in thy hand;

my God, I wish them there;

my life, my friends, my soul, I leave

entirely to thy care.

2      My times are in thy hand,

whatever they may be;

pleasing or painful, dark or bright,

as best may seem to thee.

3      My times are in thy hand;

why should I doubt or fear?

My Father's hand will never cause

his child a needless tear.

4      My times are in thy hand,

Jesus the Crucified;

those hands my cruel sins had pierced

are now my guard and guide.

5.     My times are in Thy hand,

I'll always trust in Thee;

And, after death, at Thy right hand

I shall forever be.

You can listen to it here.    HAND