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About this post: We want to stay connected! This blog post is part of a series of daily devotionals for this season. Read them, share them, and pray that they bring God's peace and love to our communities. To sign up to receive text notification of these posts, text zpc to 39970. We welcome your comments and questions each day. 

About the author: Cindy Argentine and her husband, Mark, have been members of ZPC for almost 15 years. They have three children—two young-adult sons and a daughter in high school. Cindy serves as a Deacon, prays with the Intercessory Prayer Team, and directs our High School Choir. She and Mark enjoy being part of a ZPC Home Group.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 77

I recently heard a marketing professional say that our minds daydream about 30% of the time. In that state, thoughts seem to float in and out on their own. That’s a healthy thing—it’s a type of relaxation. But I have come to see—particularly during these last few weeks—that I often have to be intentional about directing my thoughts. Psalm 77 jumped out at me as a Biblical example of this.

The writer of this psalm is in anguish. He opens by saying “I cried out to God for help,” and he continues by describing sleepless nights and being too troubled to speak. He wonders, “Has [the Lord’s] unfailing love vanished forever? … Has God forgotten to be merciful?”

Then, in verses 10-12, our psalmist experiences a break-through. It’s like he flips a switch, and after venting all his frustration, he writes this:

“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”  

Can you feel the relief washing over him? Can you hear how he grows in confidence and excitement as he restates his decision? “I will remember...; yes, I will remember....” He will remember God’s deeds; he will remember his miracles.

Sometimes, especially when I’m sad or overwhelmed, I have to decide what I am going to think about. This isn’t easy for me—just ask my family! But it is possible with God’s help. Did you hear Jerry’s first online sermon to us, the one focused on Philippians 4:4-9? He reminded us that verse 9 says this:

“Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

That’s exactly what our psalmist did. He decided to think about God’s miracles, His expressions of love and his power in the past.

We shouldn’t dismiss the depth of emotion we may feel, particularly about things that don’t seem right or praiseworthy. Our psalmist began his prayer by telling God how weak and how mad he felt. By doing this, he validated his own experience. But at the same time, by taking his feelings to God, the psalmist acknowledges God’s sovereignty. He goes to God—claiming him as Lord while connecting with him in a personal way. God responds by opening the psalmist’s mind and allowing him to direct his thoughts to positive things.

“Your ways, God, are holy,” the psalmist writes. “What god is as great as our God?” As he comes to that realization, the psalmist finds healing and hope. When we follow his example, our own minds may find these, too.

ACTIVITY:

Think back on times in your life when God has answered your prayers. Try to recall specific examples. There have been several times in my life when I brought a deep longing or concern before God and eventually felt a very clear sense that he would answer my prayer. Sometimes, I sensed that God would provide what I asked for. Other times, I received a sense that I would have peace with God’s will. I will share that one of my deep prayers was a request to be a mother. Happily, God answered that three times over and blessed Mark and me with amazing children. In a different situation, with a different request, God’s answer was to place on my heart these words: You have today; I have tomorrow.

If you are new to faith in God, it might be difficult to name personal prayers he has answered. That’s okay. You will come to see them in time. Simply lean on the examples of others, and read the Bible, which shows centuries of examples of God answering prayer.

PRAYER:

Lord,
Help us to direct our thoughts to you. Let us pour out our feelings—whether they be joy, despair, or anger. Help us remember your blessings and feel your peace. Thank you for being a God who listens and cares. Amen. 

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