MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1870

“MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND.”

Father, I know that all my life — 2 Cor. 6:18. Is portioned out for me, — Ps. 31:15. And the changes that will surely come, — Job 14:1. I do not fear to see; — Prov. 14:26. But I ask thee for a present mind — Deut. 5:29. Intent on pleasing thee. — Ps. 119:38.

I ask thee for a thoughtful love, — Ps. 116:1. Through constant watching wise, — 1 Thess. 5:6. To meet the glad with joyful smiles, — Rom. 12:15. And wipe the weeping eyes; — 1 Cor. 12:26. And a heart at leisure from itself, — 1 Cor. 13:5. To soothe and sympathize. — Job 29:11–16.

I would not have a restless will — Isa. 57:20. That hurries to and fro, — Prov. 19:2. Seeking for some great thing to do, — Rom. 12:16. Or secret thing to know; — Deut. 5:29. I would be treated as a child, — Ps. 131:2. And guided where I go. — Ps. 73:24.

Wherever in the world I am, — Ps. 37:23. In whatsoever estate, — Phil. 4:12. I have a fellowship with hearts — 1 John 1:7. To keep and cultivate; — Eph. 4:8. And a work of lowly love to do — 2 Cor. 5:14, 15. For the Lord on whom I wait. — Ps. 25:5.

So I ask thee for the daily strength, — Deut. 33:25. To none that ask denied, — Matt. 7:7, 8. And a mind to blend with outward life, — John 17:15. While keeping at thy side, — Ps. 37:34. Content to fill a little space, — Ps. 84:10. If thou be glorified. — John 15:8.

And if some things I do not ask — Eph. 3:20. In my cup of blessing be, — Ps. 23:5. I would have my spirit filled the more — Ps. 116:12, 13. With grateful love to thee— — Ps. 103:2. And careful—less to serve thee much — Micah 6:7, 8. Than to please thee perfectly. — Col. 1:10.

There are briars besetting every path, — Job 5:7. Which call for patient care; — Heb. 10:36. There is a cross in every lot, — Eccl. 7:14. And an earnest need for prayer; — 2 Sam. 22:7. But a lowly heart that leans on thee, — Cant. 8:5. Is happy anywhere. — Isa. 26:3.

In a service which thy love appoints, — Rom. 12:1. There are no bonds for me; — 2 Cor. 3:17. For my secret heart is taught “the truth” — John 14:17. That makes thy children “free;” — John 8:32–36. And a life of self-renouncing love, — Matt. 16:24. Is a life of liberty! — Gal. 5:1.

—Selected for REVIEW.