In our last post, we looked at some of the ways our thinking can become confused when God delays in answering our prayers. For a review, you can look at Psalm 77:7-9. The remedy for the confused thinking illustrated in those verses is found in the verses that follow, Psalm 77:10-12.
In these verses, the Psalmist gives us 3 things we can do to get our thinking straight and fight the confusion that can enter our thinking when we have to wait for God to answer our prayers.
- Remember what God has done.
- Mediate on what God has done.
- Tell of what God has done.
REMEMBER
In battling the confused thinking, I need to remember the work of the LORD, both in the history of mankind and in my own history, my own life. This is a good time to remember that reading through the Bible from cover to cover every year or so will keep the works of God and the deeds of God in my memory. Also, keeping a journal of what God is showing me and how He has answered my prayers can be a good way of keeping track of my history with God. When I become confused in my thinking, I can review the records I have kept of how God is working in my life and the lives of my husband and my daughter and my family and friends.
MEDITATE
The Bible teaches that we must bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” By meditating on the Word and the works of God contained in the Word, I can train my mind to be obedient to Christ. This is what is meant by taking every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. My thoughts can run in all directions and question God and be confused over His nature, but as I meditate on the Word and purpose to allow Christ to dominate my thoughts, I can learn to bring my thoughts through the Word and make them obey what Christ has said and done. It is a discipline that must be practiced. It can only be done if I know what the Word says. I must be willing to sit and consider what the Bible means and how it can be applied to my life.
TELL OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7. It is important to learn of what God has done and to mediate on what He has done, but it is equally important to tell others of what God has done.
When you become confused in your thinking because God has delayed in answering your prayers, and you are tempted to question God’s mercy, His faithfulness or His grace, consider the remedy for confusion discussed above: Remember . . . Mediate . . . Tell!
