Like Bibles, I often wonder if there are too many versions of devotional books. Think about it. There’s the Women’s Bible, Men’s Bible, Patriot Bible, African American Bible, to name just a smattering of titles. Check the devotional section of a Bible bookstore and you’ll find similar titles: Devotionals for women, men, children, college students, and college grads are just a few.
Why are so many needed? I’m not so sure they are. But these books of daily readings sell well, so we continue to get more. In God We Still Trust, A 365-Day Devotion by Dr. Richard G. Lee is just another one to add to the long list.
Each of the daily readings has a beginning scripture verse, a short comment, patriot’s prayer, and patriot’s promise (a different Bible verse). The key element to each day’s selection is short.
From the opening Bible verse to the ending one, each element is short. The scriptures are chopped, the comment has little substance and is often just a string of quotes, and the prayer is a one-liners. Each day’s offering can be read in one minute or less.
While the reader may feel good about reading something “patriotic” each morning, there’s little challenge and little to think about. Read the daily portion, like taking a daily vitamin, and move on with the day. I imagine most people although happy they read the daily devotion, forget what it said by the time they finish their bowl of cereal.
The entries in this book may useful for opening a meeting or other event. However the $18.99 price tag doesn’t make it feasible for that use either. Besides I’m not sure how many people would use 365 devotional readings at meetings.
I think time and money would be better spent studying what God says about government and country loyalty. If you want to know what the founders and others close to the American government have said about God’s word and the United States, read their own words. A dissected version of either is not worth the time.
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