How would you describe God?I was asked this question a little over a week ago. I was going through some difficulties over the last few weeks and if I am truthful, I didn’t have probably the most kind or praiseworthy of responses pop first into my mind. But, the question stayed with me and I’ve done a lot of thinking about it over the past week and decided that the answers would be a good discussion point for us here on Sundays.I’ve been thinking a lot about the Psalms as well and wanting to use this time to go through some Psalms with you. When I was looking through my study Bible, I found a list of attributes of God as listed in the Psalms. I knew then that was confirmation that this is where we need to go.Also, I’m going to format these next few Christian devotionals a bit differently. I really want to just focus on what the Word of God says and our response back to Him, so I’m going to just list sections of the scripture, then write my prayer back to God based on these verses in italics. I invite you to add your prayers in the comments section, should you be so bold. We are stronger as we pray together and there is nothing quite like praying God’s Word back to Him.How would you describe God? In Psalm 34, David describes God as good and gracious.1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.Father, I will praise You always. I will never cease to have Your praises on my lips. I want every word that comes out of my mouth to give You glory. I have nothing to boast of except You. I know that You are my only source of pride, not anything I do, and in You alone am I able to find reason to rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.Father, I will share my burdens and my joys with my sisters and brothers in Christ so that together we may exalt and praise Your name through every situation and circumstance.4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.Lord, You are my answer. You never leave me alone and You never fail to rescue You me out of fear and doubt if I will only trust and depend on You. As I see and encounter others who know and love You, I can see that they too have seen Your glory. As we encounter difficulty, we are each able to more clearly see You even when we can’t see Your purpose. I will never be ashamed of You and I will credit You with my rescue from the evil that tries to bring me down. Your angels will rescue those of us who respect and obey You. I am not going to be trapped by my situation or my circumstance or my feelings for You have saved me from them and I trust in You.8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.Father, I will be sustained not by food, but by You and You alone. I will see that what You provide to me is good. I will reverence, respect, and hold in high regard all that You are for You provide for my every need according to Your goodness. Even the strongest of people must learn to rely on You. Thank You for making me weak so that it is easier for me to see Your hand in every part of my life. Help me to share what You have shown me about Your goodness to my children so that they too will understand and know Your goodness and provision.12 Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.Lord, I know that You have asked of me to keep from evil and to seek after peace and goodness. You are peace and goodness and so I seek after You. I will look to You and run for You and seek You constantly so that I may know all that You will show me. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.Lord, You see me. Even when I don’t want to look at myself, You see me and You hear my cries. You will conquer over all the evil of the earth for You are over all. Even when You see me in the midst of despair, You answer and deliver and rescue me from my troubles, even when that trouble is myself. You are near even in the most desperate of times and during the most desperate pleadings of my heart. You save not just me, but everyone who is completely crushed in their spirit. You lift us up, never chastise us or humiliate us, but love us and seek to restore us and help us to learn to rely on You.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.20 He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.Father, I am going to have afflictions and Your word says they will be many. Yet, You also promise to deliver me from each and every one of them. You will keep me safe and ultimately You will vanquish evil completely and there will be no trace of it left. You redeem me and You will never forsake me for I have taken refuge in You and I will wait on You and Your goodness and grace.Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speakerLiving in the World – Living out the WordCheck out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense http://www.booksbyamanda.com

read more: Christian Devotional: God is...Good and Gracious