Author: David Powlison

Subtitle:

Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith

It’s easy to lose heart in a world where many things can and do go wrong. Life is difficult, and there are struggles within and without, but we can take heart—the Lord is with us. He hears our cries for mercy. He knows our every need. He guides us, helps us, and strengthens us with his mighty right arm. Journey through a year with David Powlison, learning to “take heart” by meditating on his favorite Scripture passages, hymns, and biblical themes, exploring the ways God meets us with daily grace right where we live. 

Drawn from David Powlison’s many decades of writing, teaching, and speaking, Take Heart is a yearlong devotional journey into the process of biblical change, where truth becomes clearer and our ears hear and our eyes see what God tells us about himself. 

Learn to go to God for the help you need and hold fast to the daily mercy and grace he offers. And be reminded the promises of God are true and that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees that no matter what you may be facing, you can live in real hope. 

About the author:

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD,(1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling. 

Endorsements:

“David Powlison’s decades of counseling practice, his skill as a theologian and biblical exegete, and his own experience as a Christian pilgrim all go into making these devotionals pure gold. With this volume David can continue to be the wise guide for you that he has been for so many others.”  ~Tim Keller, Pastor Emeritus, Redeemer Presbyterian Church

“My friend, David Powlison, had deep and abiding trust in the love, presence, power, promises, and grace of his Lord. David was a master at mining the life-giving and life-changing wisdom of God’s Word. As a seasoned counselor, David had a deep understanding of the hearts of people. These things together make David a supremely qualified devotional guide. This devotional collection of David’s writings is a treasure. Get it and let your heart marinate in the gospel that sweetly flows from every page.”  ~Paul David Tripp, Pastor; speaker; author of New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional

“We now have in this long-awaited book the most pristine gems of wisdom from David Powlison, perhaps the most renowned and respected biblical counselor of our age. Over the years, I have thrived on David’s writings, and I’m so glad he is now speaking to a new generation of readers through Take Heart.”  ~Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“What if you could wake up each morning, and after hearing from the Lord in his Word, have one of his beloved servants give you a morsel of wisdom to savor and to meditate on throughout the day? These short but wisdom-packed pages from the pen of David Powlison will edify and encourage you in your daily journey.”  ~Justin Taylor, Managing Editor, ESV Study Bible; author; blogger

“The introduction from Nan is a gift in itself. Then you get to settle into David’s gentle and personal words about his personal God, each devotion being much more than mere education. Each one invites you to love God and respond to him.”  ~Edward T. Welch, Faculty and counselor, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF); author of A Small Book about Why We Hide

“What a great book! Even with all his learning, David approaches Scripture like a child. So you will too when you read Scripture through David’s eyes. The result of David’s insights is hope. You’ll get unstuck from your problems and look out at a wider world of God’s love!”  ~Paul E. Miller, Author of A Praying Life and J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life

“Reading anything by the man who defined a generation of biblical counseling, the late counselor, theologian, author, and my dear friend, David Powlison, is a profound privilege. But reading words from his heart straight to yours, a brief conversation daily about your Lord with such a wise mentor? Few gifts will ever match it.”   ~J. Alasdair Groves, Executive Director of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF); coauthor of Untangling Emotions

“If I could have a few minutes of wise counsel every day from any man of my choosing, it would be David Powlison. Now, thanks to Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith, I can. So can you. We can still be helped, every day, by David’s profound insights into the endless grace of Christ.”  ~Ray Ortlund, Renewal Ministries, Nashville, TN; author of The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility

“I am so grateful for this collection and so thankful that it allows me to enjoy daily wisdom from a man who was a tremendous blessing to me and a great gift to the church. I look forward to reading it day by day and year after year.”  ~Tim Challies, Author of Seasons of Sorrow

“I was privileged to know David as professor, colleague, friend, and fellow traveler to the Celestial City. He arrived at the destination ahead of me, and I miss his voice and his wisdom. This beautiful devotional is a fresh mercy to all of us in the midst of David's absence, reminding us that ‘through his faith, though he died, he still speaks’ (Hebrews 11:4).”  ~Michael R. Emlet, Dean of Faculty and Counselor, CCEF; author of Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us

“Like Oswald Chambers, David Powlison died too young. But also like Chambers, his wife and others have captured his wisdom for the ages. Powlison had a rare mind and heart, and these devotions beautifully capture his humility, originality, and profundity. Read and enjoy.”  ~Os Guinness, Author of The Call

“Though David Powlison is greatly missed, he has left behind a considerable legacy. These daily devotions are full of wisdom, encouragement, and realism. They cover every human topic from fear to dependency to doubt, without ever slouching into either sentimentality or moralism. Each of them is gospel-driven. I plan to start my day with them, and I hope you will too.”  ~William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Oak trees of wisdom fill these acorn devotionals. David doesn’t write at you—you sense he is sitting with you. His warmth simply radiates. These pages are likely to be in print a long time.”  ~Steve Estes, Pastor; author of A Better December; coauthor of When God Weeps

“The combination of deep wisdom and practical application condensed into each day of Take Heart is mind blowing. Imagine sitting down over coffee and God's Word each day with one of the wisest, most caring, godly biblical counselors, and you will have a glimpse into this excellent work. It is one I will turn to year after year in my own personal devotions. Everyone who knew David Powlison or was blessed by his ministry will be blessed by this gift.”  ~Curtis W. Solomon, PhD, Executive Director, The Biblical Counseling Coalition

“David Powlison had an inimitable ability to make Scripture come alive. In this posthumous work, David walks alongside us as both trusted friend and counselor, showing us the wonder of God’s grace. I miss David’s voice and presence, but I am thankful for opportunities like this where his encouragement and counsel can continue to be a part of my walk with the Lord. I trust it will be for you as well.”  ~Jonathan D. Holmes, Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church; executive director, Fieldstone Counseling

“David Powlison once again shows his natural way of shepherding people. His words breathe hope and comfort to your soul. Take Heart will remind you of God’s unfailing commitment to you and your need to draw near to him.”  ~Julie E. Lowe, MA, LPC, RPT-S, Faculty and Counselor, CCEF

“Whenever I had the privilege of speaking with my friend David Powlison, my faith was strengthened. Part of my sadness when David died was knowing that this side of heaven, I would never hear that voice again. Imagine my surprise and delight to learn that this daily devotional was being produced. Now I can hear from my friend again and be led afresh to the feet of our Savior.”  ~Steve Viars, Senior Pastor, Faith Church, Lafayette, IN

“These short and meditative daily readings are presented like a brief word with David Powlison over coffee each day. As David always did, his words invite you to see how God connects you to the realities of your experiences by anchoring you to the truth of God’s Word. As you read, your heart will be turned to the Lord for encouragement and your affections stirred so that you ‘take heart’ in the finished work of Christ.”  ~T. Dale Johnson Jr., PhD, Executive Director, The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC); associate professor of biblical counseling and director of counseling programs, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“David Powlison’s heart was set afire listening to the promises of God in Scripture. In Take Heart we are invited to sit with David and discover what he learned through his own suffering and brokenness. His words are tender, the insights wise, and the impact for those who listen life-changing. Read and fall in love with the God who loves you!”  ~Bob Kramer, College roommate and longtime best friend of David; founder and fellow of Nexus Insights; cofounder and former CEO of NIC 

“In these short devotional thoughts, old truths are expressed in fresh ways and new insights abound. With keen insights drawn from his years of counselling and personal warmth rooted in his love of the Lord, these devotions are always captivating, always compelling, and always faithful to Scripture. They will help us love Jesus more, and with that David would have been well-pleased.”  ~Steve Midgley, Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK; senior minister of Christ Church, Cambridge

“David was a beacon in the Biblical Counselling movement. I first met him in London, then in Philadelphia, and then he came to India to teach counselling. His ability to dig deeply into the biblical text and come out with nuances was in my view unsurpassed, as was his empathy and patience with struggling believers. I always looked forward to his articles on counselling. They were a refreshing waft of Holy Spirit insight. I look forward to continuing to use these meditations.”  ~Raju Abraham, MBBS; MRCP(IRE); FRCP(LON) Neuropsychiatrist; cofounder of the Association of Biblical Counsellors in the UK and India

“When you go through David Powlison's daily devotions in Take Heart, be prepared to be surprised, delighted, encouraged, disturbed, and enlightened. David speaks to our hearts and enables us to connect deep spiritual truths to everyday life. Very essential for us in the 21st century when people are seeking to interpret daily events and are getting confused.”  ~Ashok Chacko, MD, Director, Biblical Counseling Trust of India, New Delhi

“To read through David Powlinson’s devotions is to take a dip into a deep well of contentment, springing from the well of living waters. David’s ability to take a verse from Scripture and apply it to the reader’s heart flows from his love of God’s Word and its power to change lives. This volume is aptly titled Take Heart,for it will lift one’s spirits in daily service for Christ.”  ~Glenn N. Davies, Former Archbishop of Sydney

“In these devotionals, David Powlison invites us to cultivate an intimate communion with God and to anchor ourselves in his promises. He encourages us to examine, transparently and honestly, where our affections lie, while at the same time showing us that change is possible when the Holy Spirit sheds God's love into our hearts through the gospel. David leads us to contemplate the living Christ in a very beautiful way, inviting us to experience his resurrection power and giving us a glorious hope for this present life and the life to come.”  ~Eduardo Saladin, Pastor of Sola Gratia Biblical Church, Dominican Republic; certified biblical counselor (ACBC); board member at CCEF