My Times and My Spirit

In Psalm 31, David reminds us that each day, along with each different season of our lives, are all in the hand of God. He wrote, "My times are in your hand" (31:15). But David added something earlier in the Psalm as well. He declared, “Into your hand I commit my spirit” (31:5). This begs the question. My times are in God’s hand, but what about the functional state of my spirit? Objectively, God is in control, but am I subjectively living like it? Am I currently resting in and submitting to the truth of God’s sovereign timing and care in my life?

What does that look like? Here’s how Fenelon captured it, “The future belongs to God. He is in charge of all things and will take care of you completely. If you try to guess what is going to happen you will only worry yourself and anticipate trouble. Live each day as it comes. God has a time for everything. Never second-guess Him. It is not how fast you go, but how well you go. Simply follow God’s leading.”

Now sadly, there will be many moments when our spirits are rushing ahead and aren't resting in the objective truth of God's good care. But thankfully, for all of those moments we have Jesus. The Jesus who hung on the cross in the darkness cried out, "Father, into your hand I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). For every moment we've doubted in the light, Jesus trusted in the dark. So, let's look to Jesus today. Let's look to Jesus as our substitute and rest secure in the strength of his faith, not ours. And then let's look to him as our example and begin to trust God more.

God, as I venture into the unknown of a brand-new day, thank you that I can know that my entire day is in your hands. Grant me fresh courage and comfort as I functionally embrace this truth and commit all that I am into your sovereign and good care. Amen.