My times are in your hands... Psalm 31:15 (NIV)

The inside of this fine old watch reveals an intricate mechanism. Each part was carefully assembled to create a device for measuring the seconds, minutes and hours of each day.

Often, we become quite obsessed with time. We have a strong need to control time, to make it serve our purposes. Yet, in spite of our efforts, time often controls us. We become slaves to time.

We become enslaved by the fear that we won't have enough time to accomplish the things we want in life, the things that we believe are important. Time then becomes our enemy, as we run a race against time. In respect to things of eternal importance, we may easily lose track of time and we lose track of God.

It's so easy to get caught up in our daily concerns, as we try to work in the time for everything we want in life. Yet, when it comes to our life with God, we are able to convince ourselves that we have all the time in the world. Though, our time in life is actually very short. The years go by quickly, a fact that becomes more apparent to us the older we become. In contrast, God declares that plenty of time awaits us with Him. We have an eternity beyond this life, and how that eternity is spent is of the utmost importance. Will it be with, or without, God? Eternity is a long, long time.

Ultimately, all time is in God's hands.

"And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years...'" (Genesis 1:14)

God's created universe gives us cycles, seasons and patterns that can be measured. Our solar system, part of the "lights in the expanse of the sky", functions in a predictable and measurable way. It give us a basis for measuring our hours, days, months and years.

God, brings things about according to His time plan. For each person, the most important of God's plans is His plan of salvation, the plan to bring disobedient humanity back into a right relationship with its creator. This plan was carried out at just the right time, the time God had decided upon.

God's prophets knew of this. The prophet Habakkuk spoke about the time of God's salvation: "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3 NIV)

This plan was carried out through the suffering, death and resurrection of God's own Son, Jesus Christ. Time, therefore, is very important to God. Its impact, upon His creation and His plans for His people, is extremely important.

The Psalms declare our inner desire to see the fulfillment of God's plan: "But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation." (Psalm 69:13 NIV)

In speaking through His prophet Isaiah, the LORD answers: "...In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;..." (Isaiah 49:8 NIV).

The Apostle Paul assures us that God has certainly answered : "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6 NIV)

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,..." (Galatians 4:4 NIV)

"'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)

Right now, is always the time of God's favor, it's always the right time for those who through faith believe in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness, strength and life that only He gives, and gives so freely, for all our times of life.

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure." (Isaiah 33:6 NIV)

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7 NIV)

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

In Jesus Christ, God's promises go beyond our daily times as well. We have God's promise that there will be a time when we will always be with Him, an endless time of joy with the Lord and His faithful in God's heavenly home.

"At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home..." (Zephaniah 3:20)

In the meantime, as we live out our lives of faith in Jesus, we are urged by the Lord: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

The Psalms voice a question we each may find ourselves asking at one time or another in our lives:"Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?" (Psalm 77:8 NIV)

The answer, which God assures us in Jesus, always remains a definite NO!