A 66th Birthday Devotion - My Times Are in Your Hands

At the gym

Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in Your hands.”

 

Today, I mark my 66th birthday — how swiftly the years have flown. I now find myself well within the ranks of senior citizens, a season of life that invites deeper reflection and gratitude.

 

As I pause to look back on the road I’ve travelled, the words of King David resonate with striking clarity and relevance: “My times are in Your hands.” (Psalm 31:15)

 

David penned these words amid seasons of peril, betrayal, personal failure, and deep sorrow. Yet, they were not the cry of a defeated man, but the confident confession of one who had anchored his soul in the sovereignty of God. Despite the swirling threats around him — from enemies seeking his downfall to the inner storms of regret — David rested in the unshakable truth that his life was not at the mercy of men, but securely held in the hands of his God.

 

He understood something profoundly liberating: no one could cut short what God had ordained; no hand could snatch him from the divine timeline written for his life. In declaring, “My times are in Your hands,” David was not just surrendering — he was standing in holy confidence. He knew that even though people plotted to destroy him, they were ultimately powerless because his destiny was under divine governance.

 

I echo that surrender today — not as someone who has “arrived,” but as one who has been held, carried, corrected, and sustained by the mercy of God through every season.

 

His Faithfulness Through the Years

 

It was the Lord who found me when I was just 10 years old, and He drew me to Himself. He led me to water baptism at 11, and filled me with the Holy Spirit in August 1971. He opened doors to serve in leadership as a young man — and called me into missions in as a teenager.

He strengthened me to serve in various roles — as a board member, as a leader, and eventually as a missionary with a heart for the nations. None of this was my doing. Every open door, every assignment, every new season — it was all grace upon exceptional grace.

 

What God Has Done

 

Over the years, I have simply tried to walk in obedience. There were so many challenges, too many challenges but God has done far more than I could have imagined:

• Thousands of churches and house fellowships have been established
• Over 215 buildings have been built — visible signs of God’s provision
• Multitudes have heard the gospel, and many have come to saving faith in Christ
• Children’s homes and tuition centres have been birthed for His glory
• The work has spread across 12 Indian states and 6 nations
• More than 1,000 church planters have been trained and sent into the harvest

I do not share this to draw attention to myself — far from it. I share it as a witness to what God can do through broken vessels, surrendered to His call. He can do the same with you and much more.

 

A new season, same faithful God

 

Now, as I look ahead, I sense God’s leading into a new chapter — building an independent mission initiative under an NGO, alongside others who carry the same heartbeat for the Great Commission.

 

The truth is, my runway feels shorter now. My pace may change. But one thing remains: My time and my future — are still in God’s hands. I do not know how long I have left to run, but I pray I will run faithfully to the end.

 

To God Be the Glory

 

I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve had seasons of weariness, tears, fears, and failures. But every time, God has proven Himself faithful. He has been my refuge, my rescuer, my reward. So on this 66th birthday, I lift my hands — not in pride, but in praise. Not for what I’ve done, but for all that He has done, and will still do.

 

I am deeply grateful to the Lord for blessing me with a wonderful and supportive wife — my companion in life and ministry — whose quiet strength and unwavering faith have carried me through many seasons. I’m also blessed beyond words with three precious children who still call me “Papa” — a title that warms my heart every time I hear it. Without their love, understanding, and willingness to release me into the calling God placed on my life, I could not have journeyed this far. Their trust has been a silent but powerful force behind all that I’ve been able to do.

 

Along the way, God has graciously surrounded us with faithful friends and ministry partners — fellow pilgrims who have stood by us in prayer, offered encouragement in times of weariness, and shared in both the burdens and the breakthroughs of the mission. Some gave quietly, some laboured alongside us, others spoke timely words that rekindled hope when the path grew difficult. Their support has not merely been practical — it has been a divine reminder that we were never walking alone. Each one, in their own way, has been an extension of God’s grace, and I thank the Lord for their steadfast hearts and generous spirits. Truly, the journey would not have been what it is without them.

My Anchor Verse

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1. This has been true in my life again and again. He is my strength, He is my help and He is my God.

 

My times are in His hands. May I be faithful — all the way to the End.