Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

We don’t always get instant responses to our prayers. Actually, instant responses are more the exception than the rule. So what then? Asaph knew the answer to that, and he shares it with us. When we don’t see, hear, or feel God right now, the thing to do is remember all the times He has revealed Himself in the past, both to us personally and in the Bible, not to mention the countless believers in between. Our problem is most often that we lack perspective, whereas God sees the end from the beginning, and as Peter pointed out, His perspective on time is quite different from ours. (2 Peter 3:8-9) Where the NIV says “consider all Your mighty deeds,” the Japanese says, “think quietly about Your works.” We aren’t to let ourselves get all worked up about what is happening or not happening, in a panic because we aren’t in control. We need to remember that if we were in control, we’d make an absolute mess of things! This is very much in line with the hymn, Count Your Blessings. Being raised in church has innumerable advantages, and if you are so blessed, that’s one of the blessings you should count!

I’ve experienced this many, many times. Yesterday, at the request of one of my daughters, I took a “personality inventory” quiz, and I think it showed me as having a high degree of gratitude. It should have, at any rate! That has stood me in very good stead in my current hospitalization. I honestly don’t think I have anything to complain about! That’s not to say that I don’t see areas for improvement, but I am very aware that I get better than I deserve. It was a shock to be told that I might be in here for up to two weeks, rather than the one I was first told, but that too is in God’s hands and my being anxious about it won’t change a thing. My skin donation site is healing very well, so there’s every reason to expect the receptor site is doing the same. Even so, I will be relieved when the stitched-on bandage is removed to be able to confirm that! Cathy is having a rougher time than I am, having to deal with everything “outside” by herself, and I certainly pray for her. We both need to remember that God’s indeed got it all in control, and we have nothing to worry about.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Cathy’s got a very full schedule for today, and I’ve got very little. Help us both rest, relax, and rejoice in You, delighting in Your grace toward us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!