Psalm 138. The ‘I will’ psalm. Read this psalm. Read it slowly. Sing it while you’re at it. Let it sink in. And you will get up and say, “I will!” I will praise. I will pray. I will proclaim. I will persevere. I will pursue. I will!

I will praise (vs 1-2). I will praise God. I will praise Him because He is exalted; He is majestic. I will praise Him because only He is worthy of praise. I will praise Him for His name, His word, His love, and His faithfulness. I will give thanks with all my heart. I will bow in worship. I will sing. I will just let it all out. I will.

I will pray (vs 3). I will pray because I am weak. I will pray because I can’t make it on my own. I will pray because God helps me pray. I will pray because God strengthens me. I will pray because God hears. I will pray because God answers. I will pray constantly. I will.

I will proclaim (vs 4-5). I will talk about God. I will tell people about Jesus. I will do this publicly. I will let my light shine so even the kings and rulers will notice and give God the glory. I will proclaim God’s words and not my words. I will proclaim God’s greatness and not my greatness. I will proclaim joyfully. I will.

I will persevere (vs 6-7). I will have troubles. I will have trials. I will have tears. I will have God. I will be preserved by God. I will be protected by God. I will be saved by God. I will persevere. I will persevere because Jesus persevered. I will persevere courageously. I will.

I will pursue (vs 8). I will pursue God’s ways. I will pursue God’s plans. I will pursue God’s will. I will pursue God’s purposes because He wants to fulfill His purposes in me. I will pursue God because He chose me. I will pursue God because He pursued me first. I will pursue God because He loves me. I will pursue God faithfully. I will.

On behalf of Zach we will praise, pray, proclaim, persevere, and pursue. And run. We will run the race with him. Zach will keep running because Jesus will run with him and for him. Jesus will.

Today’s Updates:

Over the past few days, the doctors have tried to get Zach off of his IV sedation. They tried to stop his sedation yesterday, but he became inconsolably agitated for about an hour, so they restarted his sedation. Today they stopped Zach’s sedation again, and he’s been handling it well so far! Zach still has occasional agitation and panic episodes, with his heart rate going as high as the 180s. As mentioned in our last update, the medical team believes that Zach’s agitation is likely a manifestation of his anoxic brain injury. The doctor today said that treatment for anoxic brain injuries (caused by lack of oxygen to the brain) is less researched than traumatic brain injuries. Despite this, the doctors are doing all they can to research potential drugs and treatments for Zach’s brain injury to give him the best chance at recovery. Our doctor is also reaching out to the brain rehab team to see if they have any ideas for helping with Zach’s agitation. We know that healing will happen if God wills it. Please pray that Zach’s brain may heal fully one day.

Zach was calm for a good portion of the day today. Even during his periods of agitation, he had minimal grimacing. Please thank God with us for allowing Zach to remain calm without the help of his IV sedation today.

Zach still has both chest tubes in. They did a chest x-ray this morning to check on his lungs, but we haven’t heard the results yet. Last we heard, the holes in Zach’s lungs are continuing to heal, which we are thankful for. Zach is doing well on the trach mask, which he only needs for humidity and comfort. Please thank God for Zach’s continuing healing and that Zach is able to breathe on his own.

The dietitian visited Zach today and decided to switch him from continuous tube feeds back to bolus feeds, where he gets three “meals” each day through his PEG tube. We are thankful that Zach has made enough progress to return to this schedule.

Please join us in thanking God for the progress that Zach has made over the past week. Please pray also for peace in his mind so that he will be less agitated. Pray that the doctors will be able to find a treatment for Zach that will help him to recover. Please pray that God will heal Zach’s brain and allow him to wake up again one day. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
 before the gods I sing your praise;

I bow down toward your holy temple
 and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
 for you have exalted above all things
 your name and your word.

On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
 for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
 but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
 you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
 and your right hand delivers me.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
 Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

(Psalm 138)