When Life Doesn’t Follow the Alphabet
Life rarely unfolds the way we planned. We expect our lives to move neatly from A to B to C… but sometimes the “D” seems to disappear altogether. A diagnosis changes everything. A relationship breaks down. A crisis comes without warning. In this message from Psalm 9, I want to remind us that even when life feels out of sequence, God has not lost control.
Psalm 9–10
1. God Never Promised a Perfectly Ordered Life
One of the fascinating features of Psalm 9 and 10 is that they’re written as an alphabetical acrostic—but several Hebrew letters are intentionally missing or out of order. I believe that’s a beautiful picture of life itself.
We all prefer everything to line up neatly, but our stories often include unexpected interruptions, disappointments, and unanswered questions. Those “missing letters” don’t mean God has abandoned us—they remind us that faith is often lived in the midst of life’s disruptions.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord… though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
2. Our Crisis Doesn’t Change God’s Character
David wrote Psalm 9 while he was living through difficulty—not after everything had been resolved. That’s an important reminder for us.
Whether we’re facing personal struggles, family challenges, injustice, or uncertainty in our world, God remains the righteous Judge. He sees what others cannot see. He knows every motive, every injustice, and every circumstance, and one day He will judge perfectly. Until then, we can rest in His faithfulness instead of being overwhelmed by fear.
Psalm 9 repeatedly reminds us that those who trust in the Lord will never be forsaken (Psalm 9:10).
3. We Decide What We Will Do
One phrase stands out again and again:
“I will…”
“I will praise.”
“I will rejoice.”
“I will sing.”
David understood that praise is not a feeling—it’s a decision.
Every crisis gives us a choice: we can surrender to fear, or we can intentionally remember God’s faithfulness. Instead of obsessing over tomorrow, we can look back at the countless ways God has already carried us through yesterday’s battles.
That’s why I encouraged someone recently to write down every time God had been faithful in the past. Remembering God’s faithfulness gives us confidence to trust Him with today’s uncertainty.
4. Even When the “D” Is Missing, God Is Still Writing Your Story
One of the most memorable pictures from this message is the missing letter in the alphabet.
When our plans don’t unfold as expected, it’s easy to assume something has gone terribly wrong.
But God is still there.
He is still our shield.
He is still our strength.
He is still our refuge.
He is already waiting in tomorrow before we ever arrive there.
Because of Jesus Christ, we don’t face life’s uncertainties alone. The cross has already secured the final victory. Whatever crisis we’re walking through today, our future is held by the One who has already defeated sin, death, and every work of darkness.
A Final Thought
Life will always have a few missing letters.
There will be seasons when nothing seems to fit the way we expected.
But our response can still be:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
When we choose praise over panic and trust over fear, we discover that God has been faithful all along—and He will continue to be.
Previously, by this speaker:
Strengthen Your Heart in the Middle of the Crisis