Book Review: Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith by David Powlison
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.—James 1:2-4 ESV
Book Information:
Author: David Powlison
Pages: 416 pages
Publisher: New Growth Press
Year: 2022
It is no secret than I am sinner. Maybe not in a “big sin” way but I am still not a good girl. Or not as good as I appear on the outside.
Ironically, it is this realization that was the turning point for me in my deepest suffering. I had tried so hard to be good on my own strength. I thought that by adopting a disabled child, I would please Him. But even that is never good enough.
When I realized that was my underlying motive, I felt depressed. I didn’t gain what I wanted and now I was stuck. What else can I do?
It was at this point that I “met” David Powlison. Not in person, but through his online course, Dynamics of Biblical Change. What I learned from him about God and about myself—changed my life.
Now, I’ll be honest here. I don’t usually like to read devotionals. They are short and easy to read, but they tend to fall short of the depth I enjoy.
Not this one. In this aptly-named devotional, we get a deep dive into how to walk with courage with God as we deal with our personal weaknesses, sins, and sufferings through life here on earth. Sometimes it seems like Powlison is saying the same thing over and over, but it is because our stubborn and prideful hearts need to hear it—like water drops slowly re-shaping our hearts to learn the dependence on God we so desperately need.
This posthumously published devotional is a labor of love. Two faithful women spent years combing through his sermons, lectures, conference talks, interviews, blog posts, books, and journal articles to share the best in this volume.
David Powlison’s widow, Nan, writes the introduction and shares her fond memories of her husband and the 43 years she had with him before he succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2019. This is an invitation to sit with them as they jump into the living water of God’s Word, “finding strength and courage in weakness and friendship and faith for the journey.”
Each entry starts with a passage of Scripture or verse from one of the hymns Powlison would analyze at the start of his classes. Then follows the thoughtful and often practical devotional entry, with the key idea italicized. These helped to remind us of the truths of God that we can “take heart” in.
My husband and I started reading this devotional in 2023, when we first began our new ministry. Each day after breakfast, we would read the entry. Some days we felt like we were sitting in a counseling room with Powlison himself; other days, it was simply a word of encouragement we needed or a prayer for the day.
As a highly skilled counselor, I also found his words helpful as I struggled to counsel others. He helped put into words what I could not. Sometimes, the day’s entry would be part of the counsel I would share during our session.
How This Book Helped Me:
Not surprisingly, as one who still struggles with indwelling sin, I am a prideful and self-sufficient person. I have zero or low tolerance for weakness or dependence—in myself or in others. And if that’s you too, then this may not be a good book for you. At least not yet. You might not like the reminder.
But I have realized that it is truly a grace of God for us to humble us through suffering. I certainly do not like it. And I’m not saying that we should pursue it on purpose.
However, when it touches our life, whether through our own weakness or sin, through the unkindness of another, or simply through the brokenness of the world that splashes on us, count it a grace that God allows us to experience it. If this happens to you, I encourage you to humbly ask God to help you learn through your suffering.
Admittedly, seeing your own weakness and neediness is hard. No one—myself included—wants to admit it. In fact, I balked at this and plowed through life in those early years of our adoption as if I wasn’t. I may have felt “strong” but now I know that those were my weakest moments because I relied on myself and my limited, not God.
This attitude also created a lot of trouble. Trouble in my marriage because I was sure I was right and my husband was wrong. Trouble in our home because I was bound and determined to do it my way.
Most of all, there was trouble in my own heart. It was hard, not soft, to the gentle voice of God. I was blind, unable to see my sin and my own contribution to my suffering.
I look back on those days and shudder at my foolishness. But I also look back and stand amazed at how God was able to break through my pridefulness. And He chose to use David Powlison.
Through him, I was able to hear the gentle but firm voice of my Savior. Powlison does not mince words about sin. I needed to hear these—but because he himself has been touched by the grace of God, he was able to exhort me in a way that I was able to hear and receive it.
And I needed so much to hear this message. I was on a pathway to destroying everything I loved and worked for. But through the voice of this servant, God was able to save me from myself.
Suffering is hard. If we’re not focused on the Lord, it can tempt us to turn our backs on God in doubt. We can become self-centered and hurtful to others. I know because that was my response.
Thanks to David Powlison, however, I was able to consider another viewpoint on my suffering. I was offered a different pathway to walk—one made possible by the Gospel love of God in Christ. Instead of treading the old ruts that lead to nowhere, God gave me a way out.
This is why I am so pleased to suggest David Powlison’s book to you. You don’t have to take his class to find this out. This devotional can help you to examine your weakness and need in the midst of your suffering—and be victorious in Christ in the midst of it.
If you’re looking for a godly mentor in your life and cannot find one, may I commend to you David Powlison through this devotional. You won’t get trite or pat answers. You won’t build your hopes on a shaky foundation.
But you will be pointed to the solid rock of God who alone will help us in the midst of our pain. Though suffering may be our lot here on this side of heaven, this devotional brings hope as it shows us how to trust and walk with God so that our faith grows, not weakens, in times of trial.
Take heart, my dear friend. God will see you through to the other side of your suffering.
A Quote and A Question:
Focus verse=Psalm 23:1-4
“How does the way you live change as you take to heart truths about your weakness and God’s power?...More than any other passage, Psalm 23 brought Jesus to life for me in my struggles with weakness. The psalm is full of promises—he provides, he restores my soul, he is with me, his goodness and mercy pursue me all of my days. Make this psalm your own….No matter what you are facing, you have a Shepherd who is with you, restoring you, and bringing good things—himself—into your life.”—from devotional on June 10
In your season of difficulty, what are some promises Psalm 23 speaks into your time of weakness or despair?
How might these promises help and encourage you today, regardless of what you are facing or what lies ahead for you in the future?
