Eagerly, sometimes hungrily, first thing in the morning, I search for today’s entry on my calendar, my lifeline.

The day my husband brought this calendar home from the office, I thought I’d use it “sometime.” But soon things took a painful turn in the life of someone dear to us. 

As the days, months and now years have gone by, this single-page calendar, 30 Days of Praying the Names and Attributes of God, has become a lifeline to me while I navigate the waves in this sea of trials. 

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It wasn’t this way at first. But now, when I read the day’s entry, it’s like unwrapping a present for my soul. It’s like seeing the flawless inner beauty of a diamond revealed, one facet at a time. Using this calendar has been one of the weapons from God’s armory that has helped my faith not to falter too much in these trials. 

His name is who He is

Nearly every morning, no matter how I am feeling, as I lift my spiritual eyes to who He is, my vision clears, and my heart is lifted up. 

“His name is who He is. It is equivalent to Himself,”¹ my study Bible tells me. Getting to know God’s names is getting to know Him. No wonder His names and attributes nourish me, like spiritual food. 

He is Elohim (“Strength” or “Power”), able to do anything to resolve situations that concern me.

He is good. His plan is far better than anything I could imagine. 

He is Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider. He gives me all I need to persevere. 

He is faithful. I can trust Him. He will not fail me. He is working even when I cannot see it.

My protection

While the enemy of my soul prowls around, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), God’s name protects me. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). The Hebrew word for “safe” (sagab) means, literally, “set on high” – “(inaccessibly) high,”² “too high for capture.”³

When I choose to run into His name, I am like a bird perched high in a tree, singing gladly among the branches of my Savior’s love. Too high to be captured by the hungry lion pacing below. Off-limits to lies, worry or fear. Inaccessible!

The more I focus on God’s name and attributes, the more I rest. He is Jehovah-Shalom, my peace.

Praying with confidence

Slowly, without my realizing it, reviewing who God is day in and day out has taught me to rely more heavily on Him. I haven’t spent much time meditating on His names or attributes beyond reading the day’s entry each morning. But this simple habit has helped to deepen my faith. 

I find myself praying more confidently for others, as I remember who He is and what He is like, my Father for whom nothing is impossible. 

One day, I even hear myself describing the situation with our loved one as “fun.” Really?

The trials themselves are not fun. They are real and painful. But yes, it has been fun getting to know my God better because of them. Painfully wonderful. He is Jehovah-Nissi, God my victory, my banner, and His banner over me is love (Song of Solomon 2:4).

Some days the waves in this sea of trials are high, and I wish I knew how long I will need to ride them. But I am learning more about relaxing, by faith, in His name. I’m safe. I’m holding on to the lifeline of who He is. 

No matter what your trials are, there’s plenty of room on the lifeline if you want to hang on, too.

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¹NIV Study Bible, note on 1 Kings 8:16. ² Laridian Bible, New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance Hebrew-Aramaic Dictionary.  ³ Blue Letter Bible.

Have you discovered how much God loves you? If you have not begun a personal relationship with Him, please visit Would You Like to Know God Personally?

If you know Him and want more spiritual encouragement in these days of the corona virus crisis or whatever your trials, try using this calendar too. More help is available at Starting with God.com.

Photo credit: Mauro Sbicego on Unsplash