My times are in thy hand (Quality Good)

[0:00] Would you turn again to Psalm 31, the 31st Psalm, and in verse 15. Psalm 31, and verse 15.

[0:17] My times are in thy hand. My times are in thy hand. It hardly seems a year since I stood last in this pulpit, how quickly the time goes.

[0:42] And yet, certainly, a great change has taken place in the sad loss that has been suffered here.

[0:52] And, in approaching this service this morning, one could not help but reflect upon this thought, that with these changes that must inevitably come, with all the changing scenes of life and history around us, we need to see these things in the light of God's Word, God's will, God's gracious purposes.

[1:30] And so, as he may help us this morning, let us consider this very familiar text, made surely very precious to many of us by the lovely hymn, Sovereign Lula of the skies, ever gracious, ever wise.

[1:50] Or, not so, or, my times are in thy hand. Or, events are thy command. My times are in thy hand.

[2:08] The my, that is ours, the times. My times are in thy hand. The hand is the hand.

[2:21] The hand is thine. The hand is the hand of God. For a few moments, we will contemplate the hand.

[2:32] And then, consider the times. My times are in thy hand. The hand is the hand of God.

[2:47] The eternal God. The sovereign God. The only wise God. The God, who is the very essence of love, mercy, grace, compassion.

[3:03] Human language fails. In expressing the infinite nature of being a God.

[3:16] What a hand it is. When I consider thy heavens. The work of thy fingers. The moon and the stars which thou hast ordained.

[3:28] What an amazing universe we live in. It speaks. There is no speech nor language. Where their voice is not heard.

[3:41] And all these things are the handiwork of God. I think it is a profitable exercise to consider these things.

[3:55] We look at ourselves and rightly we see ourselves as a little handful of dust. What worthless worms are away.

[4:07] And yet this God. There is no part of this universe where he is not. There is no part of this universe which is outside of the scope of his power or his control.

[4:22] Peter calls it. Peter calls it the mighty hand of God. The mighty hand of God. He spake these worlds into being.

[4:36] He upholds these things by the word of his power. It is a hand of God. It is a hand of great strength. A hand of great skill.

[4:48] Yes we may marvel at the skill of the human hand. A man is the image of God. And our God has a hand which is far more wonderful.

[5:00] And so we see him as the creator. We see him as the sustainer.

[5:11] We see him as the great upholder. A controlled universe. The arguments of the evolutionist are utter folly.

[5:26] Utter folly. How can these things be? How can they be upheld? Controlled? The amazing relationship between one part of the world or the universe or another.

[5:41] It is all a demonstration of the mighty omnipotent hand of God. How great then he is.

[5:53] He is the controller divine. And in the affairs of men and nations too. None can stay thy hand. Or say unto thee.

[6:06] What doest thou? I'm so glad I've got a God like that. A God that is not sovereign is not God.

[6:18] But none. His hand is a sovereign hand. He holds all nature in his hand. And that is fundamental truth.

[6:30] That is reality. Not just poetical language. Not just a figure of speech. But this God's hand is on everything that is happening at this very moment.

[6:46] Whether in our nation, throughout the world. In any part of this universe. His hand is upon it all. It's a very liberal hand.

[6:59] And a very open hand. Isn't it? It's a hand that's always giving. A hand that is ever extended in blessing. Even on a fallen race such as ours.

[7:14] His benefits they don't fail. He sends his rain on the just and the unjust. He opens his hand and supplies the need of every living thing.

[7:26] People are concerned in these days about the abuse and misuse of the environment.

[7:38] And all these sort of things. The questions that are being asked. And we can't be dismissive of it all. But even in that aspect of man's folly and exploitation.

[7:52] I believe our God is quite well able to deal with these things. When people talk to me about greenhouse effects and things like this.

[8:04] I don't want to be complacent. But you know it says. While the earth remaineth. While the earth remaineth. Summer and winter. Cold and heat.

[8:15] Seed time harvest. That these things will not fail. Man. May commit. All sorts of folly.

[8:26] May do all sorts of terrible things. May seek to lift himself up. Only to fall low. But our God. Is faithful. Let us be content.

[8:38] Not in a fatalistic way. But to leave these things. In his hand. But I'll come back to it in a moment. It's a hand that gives.

[8:49] It's a hand that protects. It's a hand that keeps. It's a hand that upholds. And he will not forsake the work of his own hands.

[9:00] He will not forsake the work of his own hands. He doesn't put his hand to something. And then lose interest. Then lose interest. Then lose patience.

[9:12] Then lose the ability to complete that which he begins. Now I've just tried to put it in a simple way.

[9:24] But I've just reminded you. Then of the hand. The hand of God. But you see. When I want to consider the things of God.

[9:39] And the nature of God. And the being of God. I must inevitably. Be led to one. Unique. Blessed.

[9:50] Glorious person. The word. Was made. Flash. Our opening hymn. Spoke of Emmanuel. God.

[10:01] With. Us. And if. There is a sincere desire. To know something. Of the hand. Of God. And if the Holy Spirit.

[10:13] Is pleased. To be our teacher. Then we shall see. In every way. God in Christ. For in him dwelleth all.

[10:23] Not some. All the fullness. Of the Godhead. Bodily. Bodily. God. God.

[10:34] Was manifest. In. The flesh. So consider. For a moment. The hand. Of Jesus Christ. Because he.

[10:45] Had hands. Just like. Yours. Just like. Mine. A real. Man. In every. Way. And his human body.

[10:57] Was a full expression. Of God. The express. Image. Image. Of. His. Person. He went about.

[11:11] Doing. Good. What a hand it was. A hand that touched. A leper. And said. I will. Be.

[11:21] Thou. Clean. The hand. The hand that took. The hand of that dead maid. And said. You're made. I say unto thee. A rife.

[11:34] What a hand. This was the hand that washed the disciples feet. What condescension. What grace.

[11:45] A wonderful hand. Indeed. Yet still. The hand of the creator. For without him. Was not anything. Made. That was made.

[12:00] There's a little children's hymn. We used to sing. About Jesus. Who lived above the sky. Came down to be a man. And die. What a cruel death he died.

[12:13] He was hung up. And crucified. And those kind hands. Which did such good. They nailed them. To a cross.

[12:25] Of wood. My friend. The hand that created the universe. Was nailed to the cross. Of Calvary.

[12:37] To suffer. The just. For the unjust. To be made sin for us. Who knew no sin.

[12:48] The Lord. Has lay upon him. The iniquity. Of us. All. Yet death.

[13:00] Could not hold him. Amen. Behold. My hands. And my feet.

[13:13] This. Same. Jesus. He. With us suffered. Blood. Died. To redeem.

[13:25] To justify. To reconcile. Sinners unto God. Is now entered into heaven. Itself. We sing.

[13:36] Don't we. A man. There is. A real. Man. Is it heaven? He's at the father's right hand. He's the lamb in the midst.

[13:48] Of the throne. The hymn writer. Speaking of his intercession. Says. And spreads. His wounded.

[14:00] Hands. They are perpetually a plea. For sinners. Such as you. And I. What a mercy.

[14:12] That we have such a mediator. But more than that. We read. In the book of Revelation. Of one. Who alone.

[14:22] Was worthy. To open. The seals. The seals. Of God's eternal purposes. The seals. Of history. That seal.

[14:33] Which only. Oh seals. Which only. He. Could open. The worthy lamb. The hand. That was nailed. To the cross of Calvary.

[14:45] Is the hand. That with power. And authority. Governed. The world. History. The universe. My tongues.

[15:00] Are in thy hand. The hand. Of an eternal. Sovereign. Omnipotent. God. Yet. The hand. The hand. Of one. Who with such.

[15:12] Mercy. Love. Compassion. And grace. Came down. From heaven. To be the sin bearer. And is now.

[15:23] Honored. Exalted. His name. Is the name. Above every name. And that hand. And that hand. And that hand. Is the hand.

[15:33] That even now. Is laid upon his dear children. None can pluck them out of my hand. What a place to be.

[15:45] What a place to be. What security. What safety. What comfort. To know that there is such a hand. And perhaps.

[15:56] And perhaps. By sweet. My sweet. Precious. God given experience. To know something. In a spiritual way. Of its touch.

[16:07] Its strength. Its encouragement. Its leading. Such. Is the hand. Of our God. But then.

[16:20] Let us. Pause. For a moment. And consider. The times. The times. Are. Ours.

[16:33] Looking at this psalm. We recognize. You're not quite sure. What period. In David's life. If it was penned. We recognize.

[16:44] Under the inspiration. Of the spirit. Yet. Under the pressure. Of the circumstances. Around him. David was led. To pen. Such a psalm.

[16:55] As this. Where he was suffering. Trouble. And grief. Where he was a reproach. To his enemies. Where he was forgotten. And forsaken. Oh.

[17:06] What a pitiable condition. David appears. To be in. When in this time. Of very evident. And obvious. And deep distress. He is led.

[17:17] To declare. With a remarkable. Glimpse. Of faith. My times. Are in thy hand. My times. Are in. Thy.

[17:28] Hand. There are two hands. There are two hands. Mentioned in this psalm. In verse 8. The hand of the enemy. Thou hast not shut me up. Into the hand.

[17:39] Of the enemy. And. Over and against. This. The hand. Of. His God. Thou art my God. My times.

[17:50] Are in. My hand. Deliver me. From the hand. Of my enemies. And from them. That. Persecute me. I must make.

[18:04] A very frank. And honest. Convention. At this point. Such. Seems to be.

[18:17] The darkness. Around us. At this present time. That. One almost. Wonders. Where that hand.

[18:29] Is. When we look at. The condition. Of our land. And the churches. And the things. Which.

[18:40] Are influencing. The life. Of our nation. At this present time. You can read history. And so can I. It is very evident.

[18:52] That this hand. Has intervened. On numerous occasions. In the affairs. Of this nation. And that was. Spiritual. Blessing.

[19:03] But now. We live. In dark times. Perilous times. And troublous times. The scoffers. Seem to.

[19:14] Carry all before them. Don't they. And the so-called media. Of brainwashing. The nation. What is the answer? I think it lies in our text.

[19:28] My times. Are in. Thy. Thy. Hand. And. The timing. In respect.

[19:40] To the whole universe. Is controlled. Isn't it? Day and night. Summer and winter. They know what time. The time will come in.

[19:51] At this and that point. They know what time. The sun will rise. They know when. A certain star. Or planet. Or whatever. Will be visible. Or whatever. Is happening.

[20:02] In the universe. Why? Because. God's. Timing. Is perfect. In that. Sense. And time. Is something.

[20:13] Which he. Has given. In which he. Controls. In Genesis 1. Chapter 14. And God said. Let there be lights. In the firmament.

[20:23] Of the heaven. To divide the day. From the night. And let them be. For. Size. And for seasons. And for days. And for.

[20:34] Years. Every. Morning. When I. Get up. It's just. One of the little things. I suppose. That we all have. In one way or another.

[20:45] I always feel. I am thankful. To see that the sun. Has risen again. And that this. Faithful God. Still. Is ordering. The universe.

[20:56] Progress. And so. We can praise him. In that sense. But then. The times. In which. We.

[21:07] Live. As I've already hinted. There are solemn times. Dark times. Perilous times. Some would say. They are clearly. The last times.

[21:21] We are very careful. What I do say. About that. Again. We can read back. Over the centuries. And see. That things have developed.

[21:31] In such a way. That many godly. Men. Have felt. That they were living. In the last times. You see. Our times.

[21:43] And the time. Of the whole world. And the universe. Is in his hand. No man. Knoweth. The day. Nor the hour. Not even the sun.

[21:54] Only. The father. Concerning. That. Great. Event. Which must. Inevitably. Come. His ultimate.

[22:05] Second coming. I do not believe. It is a matter. For speculation. But preparation. Speculation. The people.

[22:17] That are always. Trying to work. Things out. And comparing. This. That. And the other. And they. Well. Do you know. I knew. A dear man of God. Once. Who was a deacon.

[22:28] Of a certain. Cause. I won't mention. Name or place. But one went to him. And said. Have you got the ministers. List ready. For the coming year.

[22:38] And this man. Said. No. I was not bothered. To get any ministers. Because I feel. The Lord. Will be coming again. By Christmas. You see. People can get.

[22:50] Carried away with it. He was a good man. A godly man. But. He had. Thought he worked it all out. But you know. Preparation.

[23:03] That is our. A main concern. Isn't it? In such an hour. As ye think not. The son of man. Cometh. Blessed is that servant.

[23:17] Who when his Lord cometh. Shall find him. So doing. What manner of persons. Ought we. To be.

[23:27] But I must move on. This. Time in which we live. What's happening in Russia. What's happening in Yugoslavia. What's happening in. Northern Ireland.

[23:39] What's happening in our own land. And. Oh how much darkness. There seems to be. Let us remember. That. It's in. His. Hand. Nebuchadnezzar.

[23:51] Was in. His hand. Silas. Was in. His hand. Egypt. Was in. His hand. All these. Things. You know. For this cause. They were raised up. That God might show.

[24:01] His power. And. His glory. So. Let us not forget this. In the changing scenes. Of human history. Whatever events. May occur in our nation.

[24:12] Or universally. My times. Our times. Are in his hand. Our times. But then. Times.

[24:22] Personally. Because it is. My times. My times. Are in. Thy. Hand. We may look back. Over our lives.

[24:34] And consider. Things that have happened. Things that have taken place. Things that have affected us. Providentially. In our families. And.

[24:44] We recognize. Times of joy. Times of sorrow. Times of change. Times of unrest. And anxiety. Yet.

[24:55] Times of tranquility. And. Of peace. It is good to look back. Sometimes. You know. And to see. The way in which things. Have fallen together.

[25:07] The amazing. Interventions. I would not. Speak personally. From the pulpit. Of earlier. Experiences. But looking back.

[25:17] Over the way. I have come. And I am sure. You can do the same. You can see. That over all. There has been. A God. And your times. Have been.

[25:28] In. His. Hand. His gracious. Over. Ruling. And with it. Often. Perfect timing. You know. That is what.

[25:39] Amazes. Me. As I look back. Not only. The changing scenes. Of life. But. The timely. Intervention. The timely. Intervention.

[25:50] Of a God. That knows. Just when. To step in. A God. That knows. Just how. To order. A. Events. And so. In the providential.

[26:01] Sense. We. Are so grateful. If we can look back. And see it. And this. His love. In time. Past. Forbids us. To think. You leave us. At last.

[26:11] In trouble. To think. Each Ebenezer. We have in review. Confirms his good pleasure. To see us. Right. Through. Thy. Time. In.

[26:22] Thy. Hand. But then. One thinks. A more vital. A more important. Matter. I refer.

[26:34] Of course. To the well-being. Of our never. Dying. The soul. The psalmist. Says earlier. In this psalm. Into thine hand.

[26:45] I commit. My spirit. Thou hast redeemed me. O Lord. God. Of. Truth. David. Was a saved sinner.

[27:00] David. Had cast this burden. Upon. The Lord. The Lord. So it is.

[27:12] With every. Regenerate soul. The appointed time. Rolls on a pace. Not to propose. But call by grace. To change the heart.

[27:23] Renew the will. And turn the feet. To Zion's hill. It's not something. You can switch on and off. You know. It's not something.

[27:34] That depends upon. Your decision. How well. Many may be. My. Times. Are in. Thy. Hand. When David.

[27:45] Spoke of his soul's experience. He said. He. Lifted me up. Out of the horrible pit. And out of the miry clay. And set my feet. Upon a rock. And established my goings.

[27:57] And put a new song. In my mouth. Even praises. Unto. God. God. And what a time. That may be. It may be a time.

[28:08] Of deep conviction. And a godly sorrow. That worketh repentance. Not to be repented of. It may be a time. Of longing. And waiting.

[28:19] And looking. For God. God. And yet. There must surely come a time. When. He reveals himself. When he draws the sinner.

[28:31] Into. A relationship. With himself. Through grace. And through faith. My times. Are in. Thy hand. What a mercy.

[28:42] To rest. For time. And eternity. Upon this. Hand. That draws the sinner. That reveals. The wonder. Of his redeeming grace. Through his.

[28:53] Pierced. Hands. And feet. And will not. Let you go. You know. Gospel comfort. Is real. Gospel experience.

[29:05] Is real. My times. In. Thy. Hand. Have you ever had. A good hearing time? Have you ever had a time.

[29:17] When you feel. He's visited your soul? Have you ever had a time. At all. How you probably. Longed for it. To last longer. Than it did. When there's been.

[29:27] A time of refreshing. From the presence. Of. The Lord. My times. Are in. Thy. Hands. You know.

[29:38] If there's one thing. The child of God. Longed for. It's for those times. When he may be. Drawn away. From the world. May be enabled. To rise above.

[29:48] The things. Of time. And to have. An experience. Of the love of Christ. Shed abroad. In the heart. By the Holy Spirit. Those are times.

[30:00] That we remember too. Isn't it? Times that we're thankful for. Times that encourage us. Sweet to look back. Sometimes. Isn't it? And that encourages us. To go on.

[30:12] My time. In. Thy. Hand. Now the Lord Jesus Christ. Himself.

[30:23] Was subject. To this hand. You may say. Well. Haven't you already. Said that this is. His hand.

[30:33] The mighty hand of God. Indeed it is. And yet. He. Himself. As he humbled himself. As he came down. And took.

[30:44] Our nature. He became. Subject. To his father's will. He said. I came down. From heaven. Not to do. Mine own will. But the will of him.

[30:55] That sent me. And he. Who thought it not wrongly. To be equal with God. Made himself. Of no reputation. And was found. In fashion.

[31:07] As. A man. And here. You see. In this. Psalm. Not only. Do we see. The language of David.

[31:18] But we see. The language. Of the Lord. Jesus Christ. Himself. I've already quoted. Verse five.

[31:30] Into thine hand. I commit. My spirit. This was the language. Of the dying. Saviour. This was the language.

[31:40] Of the one. Who offered himself. Without spot. Unto God. These were amongst. His last. Agonized breathing.

[31:52] Into thy hand. I commit. My spirit. And you know. I believe. It's been the language. Of many. A dear saint. As they have stood.

[32:03] On the brink. Of Jordan. As they have stood. On the borders. Of the land. Into thy hand. I commit. My spirit. My tithes.

[32:16] Tithes of the Lord Jesus. They were in. His. Hand. He cries out. About. Being a reproach. To his enemies. He cries out.

[32:28] About being forgotten. And there's a dead man. Out of sight. You know. On one occasion. He said. His hour was not yet come.

[32:38] And then. There was a time. When he said. The hour. Is. Come. And he went forth. Against seminary. And to Calvary. And to.

[32:49] The cross. And what a solemn time. That was. And yet. That great. Unique. Event. Has affected. The whole of the world.

[33:00] And the universe. Because. He swallowed up death. In victory. Because. By one offering. He has perfected forever. All them that are sanctified.

[33:12] All at one time. Never needs to be repeated. Can't be undone. Will be eternally effectual.

[33:24] My times are in thy hand. From the time. He breathed his first breath. In the manger. Bethlehem. To the time. When he bid farewell.

[33:34] To his disciples. As he went up. Into heaven. My times. Are in. Thy. Thy. Thy. Thy. Thy. Thy. Thy. Thy. Now.

[33:50] Coming back. To personal experience. And coming back. To the relevance. To each one. Of. Us. There is a rendering.

[34:04] Of this verse. I'm not prepared. To say. If it's right. Or wrong. Exactly. Because I don't understand. Fully the Hebrew language. But I can read. This and that.

[34:16] Commentary. If I. So desire. One. Very learned. Well thought. Of. Man says this. That it might well be rendered.

[34:29] My times. Are. Thy hand. Not just in thy hand. But my times. Are. Thy hand.

[34:41] Think for a moment. Of the potter. And. The clay. Think. Of. The one. Who takes. A lump. Of shapeless. Useless.

[34:52] Material. In and of itself. Puts it on a wheel. And works out. His plan. His purpose. With skill. And in an objective. Way. Until he has.

[35:03] Produced. A vessel. Me. For the master's. For the master's. Use. My times. Are. Thy. Hand. In thy hand.

[35:15] Yes. But they are. His. Hand. The events. Through which. We pass. Perhaps. The sorrows.

[35:26] Of the way. The trial. Of faith. The loss. The times. Of despair. And darkness. Is described. So. Fully. In this.

[35:37] Psalm. With the very. Hand. Of God. Working out. His eternal. Purposes. In the life.

[35:48] Of an individual. It is something. That. Does. Make me feel. Amazed. Sometimes. When I consider.

[35:59] How great. God is. That he should. Have a concern. For an individual. For every individual. And.

[36:10] That. The psalmist. Could say. My times. Are. Thy. Hand. Make. Thy. Face. To shine. Upon. Thy. Servant.

[36:22] Oh. How great. Is thy goodness. Which thou has laid up. For them that. Fear thee. Which thou. Has brought. For them that. Trust in thee. Before.

[36:32] The sons. Of man. Paul says. In Romans chapter 8. In that well known. And often misquoted. Verse. We know.

[36:44] That all things. Work. Together. For good. To them that love God. To those. Who are the called. According.

[36:55] To his. To his. Purpose. If God. Be for us. Who can be. Against us. He that spared. Not his own son.

[37:06] But delivered him up. For us all. Who shall he not. With him. Or. With him. Also. Freely. Give us. All. Thanks. All.

[37:17] Must come. The last. And end. As shall. Please. Our. Heavenly. Friend. You know. These things are real.

[37:28] These things are true. These things. Are of fundamental. Importance. They bring comfort. To the soul. They strengthen.

[37:39] The weak hands. They confirm. The feeble. Knee. It says. At the end of the psalm. Oh. Love the Lord. All ye his saints. For the Lord.

[37:50] Preserve it. The faithful. And plentifully rewardeth. The proud doer. Be of good courage. And he shall strengthen your heart. All ye.

[38:02] That hope. In the Lord. What a God. What grace. What love. What mercy.

[38:13] Too wise to be mistaken. Too good. To be. Uncut. My times. Are in. Thy hand. The thought.

[38:27] Of death. May trouble us at times. Is appointed unto man. Once to die. And after this. The judgment.

[38:37] The thought. The thought. The thought. The thought. Now we need to be ready. For that time. For that change. Come it must. Come it will. If the Lord tarry.

[38:51] But oh. To find a resting place. In such a word. As this. My times. Are in thy hand.

[39:01] He that hath. He that hath begun. A good work in you. Will perform it. Until the day. Of Jesus Christ. The work that is goodness.

[39:12] Began. The arm of his strength. It will complete. His promise. Is yea and amen. And never was forfeited. Yet. Oh may we.

[39:24] Prove the reality of it. It's a blessed thought. Isn't it? My times. Are in thy hand. Amen.