From familiar people in the Bible like Adam and Moses, to less familiar people like Kore and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, along with places and things; this unique, easy-to-read, and easy-to-understand, Christian daily devotional links the gospel of Jesus to the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. This is a clear and concise, 15 week, morning and evening, daily devotional that features 210 people, places, and things in the Bible that all link to Jesus.
Despite varied topics and wide-ranging scriptural inspiration, though, Henning’s clear, engaging devotionals always return to that idea of Jesus as treasure, creating a strong sense of cohesion and continuity. Whether discussing the five different types of sacrifices given to God, the comfort and trust Mary Magdalene felt for Jesus, or the resurrection of Lazarus, the short essays are written with warmth and grace, crafted to welcome and nourish readers. Most entries build to a joyous declaration: “When you sin, repent and be restored to God, he is faithful to forgive,” Henning writes, after a consideration of Uriah the Hittite, the first husband of Bathsheba.
An entry focused on Uriah offers a sense of Henning’s range of inspirations, as she plunges deep within both testaments to reflect upon surprising figures like an Ethiopian eunuch from Acts, or Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, whose inheritance of land (told of in Joshua) launches a discussion of a larger inheritance, that of the kingdom of heaven for God’s believers. Throughout, Henning balances the familiar with the less well known, broadening her readers’ command of biblical figures while always connecting each reading to her heartening throughline.
Takeaway: Clear, encouraging Christian devotionals applicable to any season.
Great for fans of: Sarah Young’s Jesus Listens, J.I. Packer’s Knowing God Through the Year.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
