“Into your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5 ESV)
It is one thing to acknowledge that God directs your life. It is quite another to entrust yourself to Him in full confidence.
Yet that is exactly what David does in Psalm 31. His situation is anything but easy. He speaks of fear, sorrow, reproach, and threats from enemies. In the midst of all this distress, he places his life in God’s hand. These words reveal an active trust that God will protect and deliver him. David chooses neither to resign himself to fate nor to try to improve his situation in his own strength, but to seek salvation in the LORD.
The same words are heard—more poignantly still—from the mouth of Jesus at the moment He breathes His last. He was threatened and mocked from all sides. He was abused and hung on a cross. In His deepest fear and suffering, He experienced being forsaken by God. He was not redeemed, but died a horrific death. And yet, against all logic, His final words were: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (Luke 23:46 ESV) Jesus entrusted Himself to His Father even through death. As He died, He knew He was safe in God’s hands.
Do you echo the words of David and Jesus fully entrusting yourself to God—in life and in death? Why do you (not) do so?