A Year With God by R. P. Nettlehorst

If you’re looking for a daily devotional to accompany you through the Old Testament, perhaps you’re considering A Year With God by R.P. Nettlehorst. This book contains 365 passages from the Old Testament designed to provide God’s perspective on ten topics:

• Hope and Fear
• Love and Hate
• Perseverance and Quitting
• Faith and Doubt
• Loyalty and Betrayal
• Companionship and Isolation
• Mercy and Judgment
• Forgiveness and Anger
• Joy and Sadness
• Peace and Conflict

Each day, Nettlehorst selects a passage from a different translation of Scripture based on the topic he is addressing and presents his insights on the passage. When read as a traditional devotional, his commentary is on par with others on the market and informative regarding historical facts pertaining to the passage.

Unfortunately, the book has two major flaws. First, the author fails to provide readers interested in its topical approach with an over-arching summary of what God says on the specific topics presented. Second, the author fails to engage his readers in a heartfelt way. By writing from his head rather than from his heart, Nettlehorst falls short of the books self-stated goal of helping readers to “connect your heart with God’s and become more like him every day”. As a result, many readers will be left feeling that the book over promises and under delivers.

I think that readers looking for a devotional that focuses strictly on select passages from the Old Testament or who prefer straightforward commentary with one good takeaway might like and benefit from this book. But, if you prefer a more engaging, emotive writing style, or if you are expecting a topical study focused on the topics presented, I recommend a different selection.

Overall Rating:  Three Out Of Five Stars

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com Book Review Bloggers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”