What do you think?
Rate this book
God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob's Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God's Relentless Love
2024 ECPA Christian Living Book of the Year Winner
Ever wonder if you’ve stumbled one too many times for God to use someone like you? Could you benefit from an encounter with God’s unending, unbending, unswerving love and devotion?
If your answer is yes, it’s time for you to see how God’s grace transformed Jacob’s life. And if you feel undeserving of God’s grace, this book will serve as a refresher course on God’s perfect plan to use imperfect people to do great things.
God Never Gives Up on You is for the strugglers among us and the fumbler within us. For those of us who are part saint, part scoundrel; we mean well, but we don’t always do well. We have breakthroughs and breakdowns, often in the same hour. We need no reminder of our failures. But where can we find examples of God’s steadfast grace?
No one is more suited to help assure you of God’s grace than Jacob. He was less a prodigy and more a prodigal. Strong on savvy. Weak on conscience. Jacob took advantage of his famished brother and pulled the wool over the eyes of his dying father, yet God never turned his back on Jacob. And he won’t turn his back on you. If you are ready to start counting on God’s grace and believe he never gives up on you, this book is for you.
Ever wonder if you’ve stumbled one too many times for God to use someone like you? Could you benefit from an encounter with God’s unending, unbending, unswerving love and devotion?
If your answer is yes, it’s time for you to see how God’s grace transformed Jacob’s life. And if you feel undeserving of God’s grace, this book will serve as a refresher course on God’s perfect plan to use imperfect people to do great things.
God Never Gives Up on You is for the strugglers among us and the fumbler within us. For those of us who are part saint, part scoundrel; we mean well, but we don’t always do well. We have breakthroughs and breakdowns, often in the same hour. We need no reminder of our failures. But where can we find examples of God’s steadfast grace?
No one is more suited to help assure you of God’s grace than Jacob. He was less a prodigy and more a prodigal. Strong on savvy. Weak on conscience. Jacob took advantage of his famished brother and pulled the wool over the eyes of his dying father, yet God never turned his back on Jacob. And he won’t turn his back on you. If you are ready to start counting on God’s grace and believe he never gives up on you, this book is for you.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2023
496 people are currently reading
4971 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,201 books5,417 followersWith more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.
https://www.facebook.com/maxlucado/
https://twitter.com/maxlucado
https://www.instagram.com/maxlucado/
https://www.accessmore.com/pd/maxluca...
https://www.facebook.com/maxlucado/
https://twitter.com/maxlucado
https://www.instagram.com/maxlucado/
https://www.accessmore.com/pd/maxluca...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 10, 2024
In short…this book has changed my life and my family’s lives forever.
I don’t feel the need to explain all my personal reasons but I can’t even begin to write this review without bringing on tears. Maybe someday I will come back and write more of a review or maybe I will leave you with this life changing message:
“….with God’s help you can move forward.
It’s time to do so. Let god speak over you the greatest of blessings:”Anyone who belong to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
You are no longer Jacob. You are Israel, and God fights for you.
You no longer swagger in false strength; you limp in God’s power.
You need fear Esau no more. God has gone ahead of you. He has prepared the way and paved the path.
Your Esau, your past, is now your brother. Embrace him. And weep for joy.”
😭 ✝️💜🙏🏼⭐️
No matter how many times I read this book, I always learn something new. It hints my heart strings different each and every time. It helps me to see life in a new way. Thank you Lord 🤲🏼 🕊️ 🫶🏼
I don’t feel the need to explain all my personal reasons but I can’t even begin to write this review without bringing on tears. Maybe someday I will come back and write more of a review or maybe I will leave you with this life changing message:
“….with God’s help you can move forward.
It’s time to do so. Let god speak over you the greatest of blessings:”Anyone who belong to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
You are no longer Jacob. You are Israel, and God fights for you.
You no longer swagger in false strength; you limp in God’s power.
You need fear Esau no more. God has gone ahead of you. He has prepared the way and paved the path.
Your Esau, your past, is now your brother. Embrace him. And weep for joy.”
😭 ✝️💜🙏🏼⭐️
No matter how many times I read this book, I always learn something new. It hints my heart strings different each and every time. It helps me to see life in a new way. Thank you Lord 🤲🏼 🕊️ 🫶🏼
October 18, 2023
" Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or to the left;
keep your foot from evil. "
( Prov. 4:23-27)
I absolutely loved this book!!! I've never read anything by Max Lucacdo before but I will now! He lives in Texas, so this book tells you how it is and has that down home country feel. He's not afraid to speak the truth. He tells the story of Jacob in a way that anyone and everyone can relate to. Some parts had me laughing out loud and others filled my eyes with tears.
Jacob's story is told in the book of Genesis in The Holy Bible. Jacob and Esau are twins, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was born first and Jacob was born literally grasping Esau's heel. Jacob lived his life deceiving nearly everyone. He cheated Esau out of his birthright in exchange for a bowl of stew. He cheated Esau out of his father's blessing, with his Mother's help, by dressing up like Esau. Understandably, Esau was angry and plotted to kill Jacob. Jacob ran away and kept running for 20 years. Formed a family of his own. He ran away from God, his family, his twin and his home. What a way to live! He's important because his sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. You may be thinking "Why did God choose this guy?" " How did he become a great patriarch? " Good questions. God has plans for everyone known only to Him.
This book is short, only 12 chapters long. I especially loved the first chapter " The Tilted Halo Society". I'm a Christian and definitely not perfect! My halo slips, I make mistakes and I struggle, which qualifies me as a member of The Tilted Halo Society! 😂. If you're honest with yourself you belong too. So does Jacob. " We need no reminders of our failures. We have not forgotten them. But we can use a refresher course on God's stubborn refusal to give on us. "
" And no one is more suited to the task than Jacob, the flawed patriarch." This is why this book is written, for us to learn God's grace, mercy and God's relentless love.
I also really loved the chapter called " Past Tense". This one talks about the reunion of Jacob and Esau. I've read this story and have read it so very many times and each time I learn something new. This story is full of hope! There's no perfect family, relationship, marriage, friend, life, ect. Remember, Esau wanted to kill Jacob who ran for his life. Well, 20 years pass by and God calls Jacob to return home... where Esau lived. Of course, Jacob was terrified, coming face to face with his angry twin. Over the years neither brother forgot the other. " Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." ( Gen.33:4) Where's the anger, the fear? Gone. Forgiven. Healing took place. God's mercy, grace and love stepped in! No matter how much we try to run away from God, he calls us to Him. Picks us up and shows His Love!! 💞🙏💞
This book is perfect to read alone, in groups, buddy reads, book clubs, Bible Studies and with family and friends. There's questions at the end of the book to use. We all can relate to Jacobs story!
I highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or to the left;
keep your foot from evil. "
( Prov. 4:23-27)
I absolutely loved this book!!! I've never read anything by Max Lucacdo before but I will now! He lives in Texas, so this book tells you how it is and has that down home country feel. He's not afraid to speak the truth. He tells the story of Jacob in a way that anyone and everyone can relate to. Some parts had me laughing out loud and others filled my eyes with tears.
Jacob's story is told in the book of Genesis in The Holy Bible. Jacob and Esau are twins, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was born first and Jacob was born literally grasping Esau's heel. Jacob lived his life deceiving nearly everyone. He cheated Esau out of his birthright in exchange for a bowl of stew. He cheated Esau out of his father's blessing, with his Mother's help, by dressing up like Esau. Understandably, Esau was angry and plotted to kill Jacob. Jacob ran away and kept running for 20 years. Formed a family of his own. He ran away from God, his family, his twin and his home. What a way to live! He's important because his sons became the 12 tribes of Israel. You may be thinking "Why did God choose this guy?" " How did he become a great patriarch? " Good questions. God has plans for everyone known only to Him.
This book is short, only 12 chapters long. I especially loved the first chapter " The Tilted Halo Society". I'm a Christian and definitely not perfect! My halo slips, I make mistakes and I struggle, which qualifies me as a member of The Tilted Halo Society! 😂. If you're honest with yourself you belong too. So does Jacob. " We need no reminders of our failures. We have not forgotten them. But we can use a refresher course on God's stubborn refusal to give on us. "
" And no one is more suited to the task than Jacob, the flawed patriarch." This is why this book is written, for us to learn God's grace, mercy and God's relentless love.
I also really loved the chapter called " Past Tense". This one talks about the reunion of Jacob and Esau. I've read this story and have read it so very many times and each time I learn something new. This story is full of hope! There's no perfect family, relationship, marriage, friend, life, ect. Remember, Esau wanted to kill Jacob who ran for his life. Well, 20 years pass by and God calls Jacob to return home... where Esau lived. Of course, Jacob was terrified, coming face to face with his angry twin. Over the years neither brother forgot the other. " Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." ( Gen.33:4) Where's the anger, the fear? Gone. Forgiven. Healing took place. God's mercy, grace and love stepped in! No matter how much we try to run away from God, he calls us to Him. Picks us up and shows His Love!! 💞🙏💞
This book is perfect to read alone, in groups, buddy reads, book clubs, Bible Studies and with family and friends. There's questions at the end of the book to use. We all can relate to Jacobs story!
I highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
March 13, 2025
Max Lucado published this book in 2023. My own book on Jacob, Limping with God, came out in 2022. That likely means that, for a while, he and I were both working through the same material and writing on the same themes. It was a true joy to see how much intersection there was between my approach to Jacob and his. In particular, I deeply appreciated how much he focused upon the undeserved grace that was active in Jacob‘s life, over and over. I found this book to be a source of great encouragement to me, and I know it would be for you as well.
October 7, 2023
I think I have read about everything Max Lucado has written. For a long time, I stayed away from him because I thought there was not much depth to his writing. Some people may continue to feel that way, but I do not anymore. And I would read all of his books again and again as time permits and opportunities exist. Finally, I would recommend his writings to just about anyone. In this book he focuses on the good, bad and certainly ugly life of Jacob and God's relentless pursuit of him, and the abundant grace and mercy given to the man renamed Israel. Lucado's writing are always entertaining, will bring a smile to your face and will inevitably touch your heart and spirit as he relates plenty of Scripture along with his creative way of illustration his points with stories and observations. At the end there are well over 50 pages of discussion questions for personal or group discussion. As our church does at the end of each service they ask us two questions, what is God saying to you and what are you going to do about it. Basically, these questions will do the same for you and I should take the time to go through them for sure.
December 29, 2023
Ever wonder if you’ve stumbled one too many times for God to use someone like you? Could you benefit from an encounter with God’s unending, unbending, unswerving love and devotion?
If your answer is yes, it’s time for you to see how God’s grace transformed Jacob’s life. And if you feel undeserving of God’s grace, this book will serve as a refresher course on God’s perfect plan to use imperfect people to do great things.
God Never Gives Up on You is for the strugglers among us and the fumbler within us. For those of us who are part saint, part scoundrel; we mean well, but we don’t always do well. We have breakthroughs and breakdowns, often in the same hour. We need no reminder of our failures. But where can we find examples of God’s steadfast grace?
No one is more suited to help assure you of God’s grace than Jacob. He was less a prodigy and more a prodigal. Strong on savvy. Weak on conscience. Jacob took advantage of his famished brother and pulled the wool over the eyes of his dying father, yet God never turned his back on Jacob. And he won’t turn his back on you. If you are ready to start counting on God’s grace and believe he never gives up on you, this book is for you.
If your answer is yes, it’s time for you to see how God’s grace transformed Jacob’s life. And if you feel undeserving of God’s grace, this book will serve as a refresher course on God’s perfect plan to use imperfect people to do great things.
God Never Gives Up on You is for the strugglers among us and the fumbler within us. For those of us who are part saint, part scoundrel; we mean well, but we don’t always do well. We have breakthroughs and breakdowns, often in the same hour. We need no reminder of our failures. But where can we find examples of God’s steadfast grace?
No one is more suited to help assure you of God’s grace than Jacob. He was less a prodigy and more a prodigal. Strong on savvy. Weak on conscience. Jacob took advantage of his famished brother and pulled the wool over the eyes of his dying father, yet God never turned his back on Jacob. And he won’t turn his back on you. If you are ready to start counting on God’s grace and believe he never gives up on you, this book is for you.
August 14, 2025
I'm so glad God never gave up on me!
August 26, 2024
I read this book with my women's group from church. There was nothing I disagreed with, and there were some good insights, but it felt a bit light for me. A good book for a new believer.
November 15, 2024
Very encouraging book!
February 5, 2024
God Never Gives Up On You by Max Lucado — rating 7/10
This is a Christian devotional book that follows the story of Jacob from the book of Genesis. I would say it is aimed mainly at those who are new to the story.
Each chapter takes a different part of his story and tries to find an application.
For me, there was too much time spent retelling the story and not enough interpretation and application. However, I am a mature Christian and am very familiar with Jacob’s story.
Max Lucado clearly shows how messed up Jacob was and how dysfunctional his life turned out. And yet, God used him and made him the namesake of all Israel and the ancestor of Jesus. The most helpful thing I found in this book was the reminder that God can use anyone and his grace outweighs our failures. He never gives up chasing after us. I also appreciated Max’s honesty about his own life.
The last chapter was the most encouraging for me.
This is a Christian devotional book that follows the story of Jacob from the book of Genesis. I would say it is aimed mainly at those who are new to the story.
Each chapter takes a different part of his story and tries to find an application.
For me, there was too much time spent retelling the story and not enough interpretation and application. However, I am a mature Christian and am very familiar with Jacob’s story.
Max Lucado clearly shows how messed up Jacob was and how dysfunctional his life turned out. And yet, God used him and made him the namesake of all Israel and the ancestor of Jesus. The most helpful thing I found in this book was the reminder that God can use anyone and his grace outweighs our failures. He never gives up chasing after us. I also appreciated Max’s honesty about his own life.
The last chapter was the most encouraging for me.
December 26, 2024
The story of Jacob reminds us of our own walk with God. We are prone to limp, but God desires us to trust in Him and He will always make a way.
January 3, 2024
This took me a while because I wanted to take it in slowly. I love Max Lucado because his work is deep but simply written. I’m not sure there is a more difficult concept on theology than Grace. We want it—but don’t want to give it. We need it—but find it difficult to accept. Highlighting the life of Jacob, Lucado details how God continued to use this most imperfect of the patriarchs. I highly recommend.
January 6, 2024
A great reminder of the great and boundless grace our God has for us. Max Lucado walks through the story of Jacob as an illustration of God working through and in spite of a broken person and that God continued to never give up on him. This books is a reminder that God is the hero of the story and that his love and grace for this world is far greater, deeper, and wilder than we could ever imagine. So wild that God never gives up on you either.
An easy read and an encouraging read for sure.
An easy read and an encouraging read for sure.
February 24, 2024
Max Lucado has long been among my go-to authors for non-fiction Christian living. This particular book speaks on the life of Jacob, and how even though he was a bit of a scoundrel, God did not give up on him. Using parallels from the Bible stories of Jacob's life, Lucado brings home the message that God also does not give up on us. And how we can lean into that rather than becoming a scoundrel as well. This was a short but poignant read and one I'd heartily recommend!
October 11, 2023
Excellent book! I listened to it and it was read by the author which I really enjoyed. Hadn’t really thought much about Jacob and his life before, but man, what a picture of how he (and we too) continually make terrible decisions and fall short, but how God never does and never gave up on Jacob, and he never gives up on us! Such an encouraging read and reminder of God’s Grace.
October 31, 2023
Sharing Jacob's story and relating it to modern day times helped me see how God uses all of us, even the broken and the ones that do not obey God. God never gives up on you!
February 2, 2024
I enjoyed this
March 23, 2024
WRC 2024- less than 250pgs
July 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this one!
July 23, 2025
Max Lucado’s 'God Never Gives Up on You' is a powerful reminder that God’s grace is for everyone, including those who feel unworthy, overlooked, or stuck in their struggles. Lucado is a great storyteller, using the life of Jacob to show how God works through our flaws and failures, never giving up on us no matter how far we fall. It’s an encouraging and relatable read that brings hope and reassurance to anyone needing a reminder of God’s relentless love.
"Jacob forgot God over and over again, but God never once forgot Jacob."
"Jacob forgot God over and over again, but God never once forgot Jacob."
January 9, 2024
One of his best books yet! The story of Jacob was written in a way to certainly relate to us today .
October 15, 2025
Great, theologically sound content. -2 stars because I just need to learn that I am not a fan of the writing style of the author. Appreciate that this was written tho!
December 29, 2023
Read.This.Book. You'll be disgusted by the actions of Jacob. You will possibly see yourself as Jacob. You will cry. You will see that God is nearby waiting to show you his grace and affection. Then you will smile and cry tears of joy. At least I did.
December 29, 2023
God's grace know no henderence
Very encouraging words about a person who had a rough beginning. Made may mistakes and chooses. But God was there for him and had a plan.
Very encouraging words about a person who had a rough beginning. Made may mistakes and chooses. But God was there for him and had a plan.
January 20, 2025
As always, I salute you, Max Lucado. You are indeed America's pastor. I love your transparency that always reveals a bit of Heavenly hope peeking through. That doggone Jacob! I get so angry at his conniving nature....until I realize he looks an awful lot like me.
December 19, 2023
Our God is the God of second chances and new beginnings, complete grace.He NEVER gives up on you. When dying, Jacob worshiped. Can God use a person like me? God does great things through brokenness, with broken people and things. Kintsugi - art of filling cracks with gold or silver in pottery. He never gave up on Jacob, and even called him back from Shechem to Bethel.
December 17, 2023
God never gives up on us, through the brokenness and the wrestling he still calls us by name. Good reminders through the story of Jacob!
December 21, 2023
Jacob's story teaches us that God is always present!
January 5, 2025
Max Lucado does another amazing job and encouraging us through real peoples' struggle in the Bible. Max uses humor, inspiration, and grace to lead us closer to Christ. LOVE!
December 9, 2023
Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost every book he’s written and I love them all. This one was no different. He brought Jacob, one of my favorites, to life in modern day as only Max can do. Discouraged? feeling like a failure? Wondering if God is done with you? Read this!
January 4, 2025
Love Max Lucado.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews