Fear Not

Being an avid reader, I follow several authors on such aps as Goodreads and have "liked" many of them on Facebook. When one such author couple offered a free download of their latest book, a devotional entitled Fear Not in exchange for a review, I jumped on it. As some of you may know, the last year has been a struggle in many ways as I have grieved the loss of my mother and gone through all the "firsts" without her. I had hoped this devotional would offer some encouragement and be somewhat uplifting. The following is the review I wrote on Goodreads.

So you think you're having a bad day? Struggling with a loss-loss of a job, relationship, illness or death? If you are looking for a devotional to offer encouragement for things in your life that are not going well, then this is probably NOT the devotional for you. If you are uncertain of your faith--uncertain if God is really in control or if there will be a glorious life after death as promised by the Scripture, then this MAY be the devotional for you. Dave and Neta Jackson offer within the introduction the concept of "right remembering" and "wrong remembering". They state: “Wrong remembering focuses on the injustices done and incites hatred and revenge. Right remembering is a testimony that even suffering and death cannot extinguish the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ.”  With this in mind, the devotional offers compelling stories of those whose faith has triumphed--often over death--and points to ways in which the current reader can also triumph.

Divided into historical eras, the book offers several essays on various time frames impacting the church, beginning with the establishment of the early Church as described in the Book of Acts, and ending with modern day times and the spread of Islam. Following each essay are individual stories from that time.

Most disturbing to me were those stories that had to do with the Reformation. In an effort to be "RIGHT", there were many who were "WRONG". Those who were wrong often were tied to the stake and burned. From the tragedies rose great ministries, however, and the cause of the Gospel was furthered. For example, Wycliffe was martyred for his faith--a part of which included making certain the Gospel was shared in written English-- and now the Wycliffe organization excels in Bible translation throughout the globe. However, reading account after account of those who were racked, tortured and burned for their belief. One has the impression Jesus is not amused and will have some words for those who were behind the racking, torturing and burning.

The lives of more recent martyrs are included as well. The famous (at least in Christian circles) story of the Ecuadorian Waodani tribe and the five missionary families that ministered to them is included in several installments. These accounts were less troubling and more uplifting--maybe because the killers were more reactive rather than proactive and were not acting in the name of Jesus Christ as they did it.

Corrie and Betsie ten Boom held on to their faith despite the Nazis in a concentration camp. Mary McLeod Bethune stood up to the Klan and praised God while offering educations to poor black students. Todd Beamer, with others, stormed the hijackers over Pennsylvania and recited the 23rd Psalm and prayed with the telephone operator before the plane crashed.

I'm not certain this is the book I was expecting. The historical sections were written extremely well, and some of the individual stories were uplifting. Others were very depressing, and though meant to be uplifting caused feelings of anger at worst and irritation at best. Understand this a book of martyrs before you turn to it, and you might well find solace. Looking for a more sympathetic and encouraging read, find something else.  

What I did not say on Goodreads is that my mother would have despised this book. We had a pastor who spent an inordinate amount of time talking about those martyred for their faith. There were more sermons based the things that happened to the apostle Paul than sermons preached on the words and actions of Jesus. A tome filled with stories of those who died would have just angered her. I think I am more tolerant than my mom, but this was a depressing way to spend a great part of the day.