The theme for today is: Days.

Psalm 102. A psalm about a troubling day. A psalm about a triumphant day.

One of those days. It feels like everyday is going to be one of those days. Not getting worse. But not getting better. Still days with more ifs than whens. The days take forever. The days fly by. Sometimes it feels like we’re living in one long day. Today doesn’t turn into tomorrow.

I’ll leave it up to the theologians to debate who wrote Psalm 102. But whoever did sure had one of those days. He says he’s having a day of distress. A day of trouble.

Actually, days of trouble. Days that fly by and vanish like smoke. His bones don’t ache; they burn. His heart is deteriorating. He forgets to eat. He groans. He’s frail. Nothing but skin and bone. He’s lonely. Lonely as an owl among ruins and a bird on a roof. Even the birds are having one of those days. He doesn’t sleep. He’s being taunted. He eats ashes and drinks his own tears. He’s having one of those days. All his days are one of those days. Like one long day. A long day of trouble. The days take forever. The days fly by.

But today turns into tomorrow! He looks up. He worships. He praises. He praises God for His sovereignty and His eternity. He proclaims God’s mercy and might. He’s looking up and he knows God looks down. God hears. God answers. God is there in one of those days. God is there for all of the days. He’ll be there tomorrow. For an everlasting tomorrow. Triumphant tomorrows. It’ll feel like one long day. One long day of triumph.

But for now, today is today. God has given us another day. God has given us trouble in a day. He’s given us triumph in a day. All in a days work. Things may not change much. Things might change a lot. It might just be another one of those days. It might not. But it will be a day. A day from God. And he is with us day by day. Thank God for days.

Today’s Updates:

Zach had a pretty uneventful day today. The nurses decreased some of Zach’s pain and sedation medications. Zach moved around more but he looked relatively relaxed (not anguished like he looked last week).

Zach is still initiating his breaths on the ventilator. The respiratory therapists increased his oxygen levels in the evening as Zach needs a bit more support when he’s sleepy. Zach is also coughing up a lot which the medical team is happy to see.

These days are slow days. We hope and pray for Zach to improve in the coming weeks, knowing that God will give (and had already given) Zach and us the patience and strength we need.

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! (Psalm 102:2)

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. (Psalm 102:25-28)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)