Providence

Dear Friends,

Do you believe that God has every detail of your life in his hands?  The places, the events and the times?  That’s what the Bible says!  In our evening services, we have been seeing God’s providence in the story of Joseph, in which his brothers clearly intended to harm him yet wonderfully “God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).  The confidence that everything is in the loving hand of “my heavenly Friend” is perfectly expressed in these beautiful words:

Sovereign Ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise;
All my times are in thy hand,
All events at thy command…

Times of sickness; times of health;
Times of poverty and wealth;
Times of trial and of grief;
Times of triumph and relief;

Times the tempter’s power to prove;
Times to taste the Saviour’s love;
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly Friend.

Plagues and deaths around me fly;
Till he bids, I cannot die;
Not a single shaft can hit,
Till the God of love sees fit. 
John Ryland (1753-1825)

Yours warmly, in Christ,

Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister/Vicar)