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Some men practically regard only some of their times as in the hand of God.

1. We not infrequently regard as providential only that which we deem calamitous. A bridge falls, and scores of souls are hurried into eternity, and we cry — "Providence!" But a bridge stands for years, and hundreds pass across in safety, and so far as concerns that bridge, we "turn God out of court."

2. Sometimes we recognize God only when what we call large takes place. One man is killed, and nobody says anything about Providence; but a dreadful catastrophe occurs, and two or three hundred lives are lost; and we say, Providence! Judgment! We should remember that "large" and "little" are words expressive of our finite knowledge.

3. Sometimes we regard as providential only that which comes unexpectedly. When we put our money to usury and get a good percentage, we take our income as a matter of course; we say nothing about Providence. But unexpectedly we have a "windfall"; — reaping where and what we have never sown — and we call the windfall "a providence." What comes in the ordinary course of things is no providence; so we poor, morally illogical creatures say; but whatever takes place that we cannot account for, we call a providential dispensation. This is nothing short of saying that God begins to work only at the point where human intellectual vision ceases; that the sphere of providence touches only the horizon of our mental view. "My times are in Thy hand." What then? This: expect comfort for all seasons. Be courageous at all times; and adore amidst all changes, an unchanging God.

(J. S. Swan.)

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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.