Fortunately, the most recent book I'm reviewing weighs in at under 100 pages. But don't let the low page count fool you, this is a substantial book. Enough buildup. I'm reviewing Max Lucado's "For These Tough Times."
Lucado opens the book with a question from King David:
When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do? (Psalm 11:3 NCV)
The rest of the book focuses on the truth in how David answered his own question. David's response isn't the type of answer that I would expect. Listen to David's declaration:
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord sits on his throne in Heaven (Psalm 11:4 NCV)
"For These Tough Times" isn't so much Max Lucado telling us his thoughts on what people do when the chips are down. It is a reminder of who God is and what He has promised for us.
Lucado writes through 8 chapters:
He uses Scripture from Isaiah to Psalms, to Romans to the Gospels to illustrate how our faith in an almighty, all knowing, all loving God is how people have dealt with tough times through out history. And still do today.
Lucado closes with a Prayer for Troubled Times. In it he asks God to continue doing the amazing things in our lives that he has always done:
And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
You changed Daniel from a captive to a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.
Lucado's small book can be a big reminder of what the Lord has promised us and has done to and through us. I think Lucado has picked the right things to focus us on.
Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Per the recent FTC ruling, I am required to tell you that I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in return for publishing my review.
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4 comments:
eyes on the father...
YES!
You got it, John! God the father has control and he loves us. So fear not!
Thanks for stopping by...
What a great post. Thank you for sharing your review of this book...
I love the prayer at the end and the hope it stirs within me. (I think of a huddle of scared unlg-ers ready to take their big leaps of obedience.) How awesome of God to use the weak things to shame the wise; to transform us into what He sees us as.
I think the prayer at the end really made the whole book. I've gone back and read it a couple of times in the past few weeks.
Thanks for dropping by and adding your voice. And thanks for the UNLG support, too.
Peace.
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