Recently I read about a woman named Rachel, persevering through very difficult circumstances. She knew that praising God was a smart strategy to implement. Praise invites his presence, and it is in God’s presence we can experience absolute joy (Psalm 16:11)—even in the midst of trouble.
But putting praise into practice proved challenging. Her situation wanted front and center attention; her mind kept returning to the worry and what-ifs.
Rachel decided to make her morning swim a time of praise. For each letter of the alphabet, she tried to name a descriptor of God’s goodness while she lapped the pool.
Her tactic worked. Focusing on praise first thing in the morning helped to establish a positive frame of mind, easing stress and worry for the rest of the day (1).
The author did not include Rachel’s list. I had to wonder: Could I name twenty-six facets of God’s goodness, each beginning with a different letter and affirmed by scripture?
The effort turned out to be a delightful, uplifting exercise. Below is my alphabet of praise.
Our God is:
A – Attentive to every need of every person in his realm (Matthew 6:25-33)
B – Benevolent beyond our dreams (Ephesians 3:20-21)
C – Compassionate toward those who are hurting (Psalm 86:15)
D – Dependable to support, sustain, and keep us secure (Psalm 55:22)
E – Eager for all to know and understand truth, to receive his gift of eternal life (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
F – Faithful through all generations, as enduring as the earth he created (Psalm 119:90)
G – Gentle in his guidance and care for his children (Isaiah 40:11)
H – Honoring us (!) with all needful favor in this life and admittance to glory in the world to come (Psalm 84:11 and Barnes Commentary)
I – Impartial to all who come to him, no matter our circumstance or appearance (Romans 2:11; Psalm 145:8-9)
J – Just in all his ways, choosing what is exactly right (Isaiah 5:16)
K – Kind, considerate, and helpful as he continually demonstrates his caring nature (Jeremiah 9:24)
L – Loving to the extreme; sending his Son to the cross as the supreme sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10)
M – Merciful beyond belief, exchanging our shame for his glory when we turn to him (Ephesians 2:4-7)
N – Never-failing to accomplish his purposes (Isaiah 46:10)
O – Omnipotent over every event, every circumstance (Psalm 103:19)
P – Patient to refine us, day by day, into the best version of ourselves (Philippians 1:6)
Q – Qualified to rectify or redeem any situation (Matthew 19:26)
R – Righteous and perfect in all his ways (Psalm 145:17)
S – Sheltering us under his powerful, protective wings (Psalm 57:1)
T – Tender yet practical in his continual thoughts of each of us (Psalm 139:17-18, 32:8)
U – Understanding of our foibles and weaknesses (Psalm 103:14)
V – Victorious over all sorrow, crying, pain—even death—when Jesus returns (Revelation 21:4)
W – Wise beyond human understanding (Romans 11:33-36)
X – X-pert at all he does (Deuteronomy 32:4)
Y – Yearning for all his children to come home to him (2 Peter 3:9)
Z – Zealous to fill us with hope, joy, and peace (Romans 15:13)
And this is just a sampling of who our God is!
Think of it: ALL that we need is found in ALL that he is.
“With the goodness of God
to desire our highest welfare,
the wisdom of God to plan it,
and the power of God to achieve it,
what do we lack?”
—A. W. Tozer
* * * * * * * * * *
Help me, O God, to soar on wings of praise, even in the storms of life. May I keep my eyes on you, my sovereign and powerful Heavenly Father, in whom I can wholly trust. Hallelujah!
(1) ______, God’s Little Lessons on Life, Honor Books, 2001.
What facets of God’s goodness would you add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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From the Inside Out 