But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand.
- Psalm 31: 14-15a

God showed me something very early one morning that really helped me. I had—quite some time ago—"claimed" this declaration of faith in Psalm 31 for some beloved people in my world who were going through life-changing, treacherous times. My revelation? I cannot claim a verse for someone else that dictates their dedication or their commitment and determines their course of action in a given circumstance. There's the matter of the free will that God gave to them—to all of us.

I can claim promises from God that come about through His working in their lives. For example:

For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 1:6

…for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced
that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
- II Timothy 1:12

Yes, these verses apply to me, but they also apply to my beloved husband and to my sons and their loved ones as their circles increase. I can claim those scriptures and I can cease fretting. I can back off and know that God's plan will ultimately come to pass. Every day of my life and every day of those in my circle of loved ones was scheduled before they were even born (Psalm 139:16)! God knows exactly what is happening! I rest in these statements of truth by faith—not by sight.

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,
but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.
- Romans 4:20-21

 Dear Lord, I do not understand Your ways (Is. 55:8-9). I do not know Your plans (Jer. 29:11). But, oh, dearest Lord Jesus, I know Your purpose (Romans 8:29) and I know Your heart (Jer. 31:3).
Thank You for Your plans, for Your love and compassion, and for Your power.

I once again place all of my loved ones in Your hands. I'm not omniscient—You are. I'm not omnipresent—You are. I'm not omnipotent—You are. To whom could I give them who loves them even more than I do?

In Your hands, in Your hands,
You have all that I hold dear in Your hands.
Lord, please show me every day as I release them to Your way
that my heart may quietly say, they're in Your hands.