Psalm 119:25-32. Depression and despair. Revival and restoration. Courage and commitment.

Depression and despair. This psalmist is vulnerable. He is down in the dumps. He is depressed. “My soul clings to dust…my soul melts away for sorrow.” His soul. His entire being. He is weak and desperate. He is done. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. Running on empty. He is in critical condition.

Revival and restoration. This psalmist is devoted. He is faithful. He is intense. “Give me life…strengthen me.” Rescue me. Revive me. Restore me. The worn out, stressed out, burned out believer knows where to go. He knows who to go to.

Courage and commitment. This psalmist is not passive. He is active, courageous, and committed. “I told…I will meditate…I have chosen…I set…I cling…I will run.” He’s a man on a mission. A man in motion. A man who has made a decision. A decision to run.

When will he run? When God “enlarges his heart.” God opens the heart. God expands the heart. God enables the heart. God loves the heart. How will he run? “Your word…your statutes…your precepts…your works…your law…your rules…your testimonies…your commandments.” The Word. So good for the heart! He’ll run by the Word. He’ll run in the Word. He’ll run with the Word. The Word is Jesus.

We’ve made a decision. A decision to run to Jesus. We pray today that we and Zach will run the right way. That we will run courageously in the way of God’s commandments when He enlarges our hearts.

Today’s Updates:

Monday again brings us a new doctor, but this time it was a familiar face! This doctor was with Zach the first night he was in the ICU. He was the one who told us that Zach might pass away. While seeing this doctor brought up that difficult memory, this doctor told us that where Zach is today is a miracle! We agreed with him, and we are daily reminded of God’s mercy in preserving Zach’s life.

Zach had a fairly calm day today. His level of consciousness remains the same. They decreased some of his calming medications and stopped his treatment for serotonin syndrome. Despite this, Zach was calm for most of the day, with only a couple episodes of restlessness. We are thankful to see Zach getting the rest he needs.

Zach remains on the same ventilator settings, and the new doctor hopes to wean him off the ventilator. We hope that Zach tolerates this process and that they can put him back on the trach mask again.

The occupational therapist (OT) came by today to look at Zach’s good hand, and they were so happy with his range of motion! We’ve been doing hand exercises while we sit with him to prevent his hand from stiffening up, and the OT encouraged us to continue doing so.

As we pray earnestly to God to heal Zach, especially Zach’s brain, let us also remember all the blessings God has showered on us thus far, from Zach’s life being preserved to the strength He gives Zach and us each day.

“My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!

When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!

Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!

Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame!

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!”

(Psalm 119:25-32)