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Sarah Edwards: Delighting in God
When the great preacher Jonathan Edwards wanted to describe what authentic revival looks like, he looked to his wife Sarah. A transformative experience empowered her to delight and trust in God, even through the darkest of times. She could testify: “I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising him.”
Sharon James gives an engaging account of Sarah’s life, and includes Sarah’s full first-hand account of her formative revival experience. It will inspire the reader not only to delight in God, but to work and pray for revival in our own day.
Sharon James gives an engaging account of Sarah’s life, and includes Sarah’s full first-hand account of her formative revival experience. It will inspire the reader not only to delight in God, but to work and pray for revival in our own day.
144 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2023
About the author
Sharon James
19 books30 followersSharon James studied history at Cambridge University, theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary, and has a doctorate from the University of Wales. She is married to Bill, who is Principal of London Seminary. They have two grown up children and six grandchildren. Sharon works as Social Policy Analyst for The Christian Institute, UK, and has travelled to many countries as a Conference speaker.
Her webpage includes articles, interviews and talks and information about her latest books.
https://www.sharonjames.org/
Her webpage includes articles, interviews and talks and information about her latest books.
https://www.sharonjames.org/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 4, 2025
The most striking thing about Sarah's experience during the revival was not her religious ecstasy but her absence of envy. She desired God to move as He would for the sake of His glory no matter whether He used her husband's ministry or not. Sarah's obedience in word and attitude in this and in many other circumstances were far more important than her emotional experiences. Her submissiveness is her great beauty. Nice as it would be to share her affectional highs, to emulate her lowliness of self is more greatly to be desired.
The author is English, so I suppose the narrator's English accent is reasonable, but I found myself wishing the accent had rather matched the American subject. Not having seen the print edition, I cannot say whether this was an error of the author or a mispronunciation of the narrator, but the plural of Edwards is Edwardses, not Edwards. Either way, the editors are to blame for letting that error out into the world.
The author is English, so I suppose the narrator's English accent is reasonable, but I found myself wishing the accent had rather matched the American subject. Not having seen the print edition, I cannot say whether this was an error of the author or a mispronunciation of the narrator, but the plural of Edwards is Edwardses, not Edwards. Either way, the editors are to blame for letting that error out into the world.
September 22, 2024
This book is excellent!!
April 27, 2025
Encouraging read on Mrs. Edwards! I’m always amazed by the puritans and their consistent joy in the Lord during such difficult times and trials. I was particularly struck by Sarah’s complete love for the body of Christ and her strong desire to see the kingdom of God advanced in her town. All streaming from a deep love of God and her understanding of His love towards us.
This was not a super complete biography but good short read and has some helpful discussion questions in each chapter for group discussions.
This was not a super complete biography but good short read and has some helpful discussion questions in each chapter for group discussions.
Read
February 9, 2024Words from Sarah Edwards:
“I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising him. I was ready to wonder how the world of mankind could lie and sleep when there was such a God to praise!”
“I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising him. I was ready to wonder how the world of mankind could lie and sleep when there was such a God to praise!”
January 12, 2026
"I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising Him. I was ready to wonder how the world of mankind could lie and sleep when there was such a God to praise" (119).
A resignation of all things unto the Lord, an unspeakable joy in all circumstances, and a deep love for all people mark the life of Sarah Edwards. Thankful for this sister's wonderful example of a desire for, delight in and dependence on the Lord!
A resignation of all things unto the Lord, an unspeakable joy in all circumstances, and a deep love for all people mark the life of Sarah Edwards. Thankful for this sister's wonderful example of a desire for, delight in and dependence on the Lord!
January 25, 2026
Biographies on Christian women are hard to get right. This one as very well done. Well organized, thought provoking discussion questions, and does a good job balancing the time spent talking about Sarah versus her much more well known husband. This book is begging for a book club.
April 16, 2025
What a woman!
February 20, 2026
This was a bit of an odd book. I was so excited that Sharon James had written another biography, having loved her previous ones. The beginning and end of this book were good, but very surface level overview of the Sarah’s life. It was fascinating, but left me with more questions than when I started. Even with so much of her own words, I didn’t walk away feeling like I knew much about her other than the bare facts.
The bulk of the book is Sarah’s “revival experience” which occurred after she was saved. It was a period of several weeks when she was overwhelmed with the love of God to the point that she was bedridden for a period of time. There are pages and pages of her describing herself in a ‘sweet and lively state of mind’ (what does this mean?) in which sometimes she faints and has to be carried away, and sometimes she jumps out of her chair. It was not disconnected from the Word of God and sound theology, but I was just very confused. I don’t want to discount her experience, but it seems odd to me that the bulk of the book was devoted to her experience in great detail. It seems that something this brief, personal and seemingly unexplainable shouldn’t be the main focus of her life, or a book for that matter.
The bulk of the book is Sarah’s “revival experience” which occurred after she was saved. It was a period of several weeks when she was overwhelmed with the love of God to the point that she was bedridden for a period of time. There are pages and pages of her describing herself in a ‘sweet and lively state of mind’ (what does this mean?) in which sometimes she faints and has to be carried away, and sometimes she jumps out of her chair. It was not disconnected from the Word of God and sound theology, but I was just very confused. I don’t want to discount her experience, but it seems odd to me that the bulk of the book was devoted to her experience in great detail. It seems that something this brief, personal and seemingly unexplainable shouldn’t be the main focus of her life, or a book for that matter.
June 30, 2025
Jonathan Edwards is the most famous Puritan preacher and his church was ground zero for a great revival, but I was intrigued by the lady beside him, Sarah Edwards. I was directed toward this biography by Sharon James that managed to marry a light summation with some fabulous in-depth details including Sarah's own words on occasion.
Sarah Edwards: Delighting in God begins with an introduction, a brief timeline, a handy close-set map of Western Mass, CT, and eastern NY and NJ where all the activities in her life took place. Each chapter had a couple studyguide questions at the end to generate reflection and discussion (if this were for a group read).
Sharon James gives a brief family history showing Sarah Pierpont Edwards came from a respected, moderately wealthy family of preachers growing up in Newhaven, CT. She sets the grander historical context that this era was the Colonial period prior to the Revolution so those living here were still considered British, that the French and English were at war here and abroad, that indian attacks were not uncommon and the western parts of these colonies was considered frontier.
From an earlier age- the book says around five years old, people noticed Sarah was already deeply religious and and bright. She was educated and commonly said to be beautiful. By the age of twelve when Jonathan Edwards, a young man of seventeen, saw her for the first time, he was impressed with her religious fervor and seriousness about God. She had a saving experience at sixteen and was engaged to Edwards at seventeen.
They were married and he co-pastored with his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Northampton church. There is good description of their life as a newly married pair and their work of ministry. Then about family life as the children came. Then how the revival started among the youth at the Northampton church. Sarah's role in all this.
But, because of extended family and community dissension, the Edwards were forced from their church. They went through a time of poverty and uncertainty for several months, but never grew bitter or despondent. Sarah economized- though coming from wealth, she had to figure it out- and Jonathan kept up his writing and studies. Two of their eight daughters married and Jonathan got a church in the Massachusetts' frontier town of Stockbridge where he ministered to Mahican tribe, Mohawk tribe members, and English settlers. The frontier life was fraught with danger, but they stuck it out.
They both died fairly young due to illnesses. Jonathan accepted the presidency at Princeton, but died soon after of smallpox. Sarah passed not long after with dysentery while traveling.
But, they left a legacy of a revival, a family of children and descendants who were successful in religious and public careers.
I found the writing style was easy to follow and I liked the blend of quoted sections with author narrative. There is a good bibliography and indexing in the back, too. Sarah came alive as a person to me and that was what I appreciated most. Definitely worth the read.
Sarah Edwards: Delighting in God begins with an introduction, a brief timeline, a handy close-set map of Western Mass, CT, and eastern NY and NJ where all the activities in her life took place. Each chapter had a couple studyguide questions at the end to generate reflection and discussion (if this were for a group read).
Sharon James gives a brief family history showing Sarah Pierpont Edwards came from a respected, moderately wealthy family of preachers growing up in Newhaven, CT. She sets the grander historical context that this era was the Colonial period prior to the Revolution so those living here were still considered British, that the French and English were at war here and abroad, that indian attacks were not uncommon and the western parts of these colonies was considered frontier.
From an earlier age- the book says around five years old, people noticed Sarah was already deeply religious and and bright. She was educated and commonly said to be beautiful. By the age of twelve when Jonathan Edwards, a young man of seventeen, saw her for the first time, he was impressed with her religious fervor and seriousness about God. She had a saving experience at sixteen and was engaged to Edwards at seventeen.
They were married and he co-pastored with his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Northampton church. There is good description of their life as a newly married pair and their work of ministry. Then about family life as the children came. Then how the revival started among the youth at the Northampton church. Sarah's role in all this.
But, because of extended family and community dissension, the Edwards were forced from their church. They went through a time of poverty and uncertainty for several months, but never grew bitter or despondent. Sarah economized- though coming from wealth, she had to figure it out- and Jonathan kept up his writing and studies. Two of their eight daughters married and Jonathan got a church in the Massachusetts' frontier town of Stockbridge where he ministered to Mahican tribe, Mohawk tribe members, and English settlers. The frontier life was fraught with danger, but they stuck it out.
They both died fairly young due to illnesses. Jonathan accepted the presidency at Princeton, but died soon after of smallpox. Sarah passed not long after with dysentery while traveling.
But, they left a legacy of a revival, a family of children and descendants who were successful in religious and public careers.
I found the writing style was easy to follow and I liked the blend of quoted sections with author narrative. There is a good bibliography and indexing in the back, too. Sarah came alive as a person to me and that was what I appreciated most. Definitely worth the read.
April 17, 2025
I’m not well read on the puritans even though I know about them and what they’ve done. This was a great first dive into the lives of the families that did so much for Christianity in the early years of settlement.
August 21, 2024
I highly recommend this short biography!
July 31, 2025
I really enjoyed learning more about the life and faith of Sarah Edwards! It certainly makes me want to read more about Jonathan and about the context of the awakening that he was such a fixture of.
March 22, 2023
A short but effective account of Sarah Edwards’s life, with special focus on her experience of the Great Awakening. The book is not in-depth of the revival itself, but it provides Sarah’s own perspective of her experience of revival, and gives helpful context to a sometimes mystifying part of history. This book is both encouraging and convicting.
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April 20, 2024Sarah Edwards
FROM HER OWN WRITINGS:
*prize nearness to Christ as the creature's greatest happiness.
* My safety, and happiness, and eternal enioument of God's immutable love, seemed as durable and unchangeable as God himself.
* The presence of God was so near and so real, that I seemed scarcely conscious of anything else. God the Father, and the Lord Jesus, seemed as distinct persons, both manifesting their inconceivable loveliness and mildness and gentleness, and their great and immutable love to me. I seemed to be taken under the care and charge of my God and Saviour in an inexpressibly endearing manner; and Christ appeared to me as a mighty Saviour, under the character of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, taking my heart, with all its corruptions, under his care, and putting it at his feet.
* in all things which concerned me, I felt myself safe, under the protection of the Father and Saviour: Who appeared with supreme kindness to keep a record of everything I did and of everything that was done to me, purely for my good.
* I felt myself more perfectly weaned from all things here below, than ever before. The whole world, with all its enjoyments and all its troubles, seemed to be nothing.
My God was my all, my only portion. No possible suffering seemed worth regarding: all persecutions and torments were a mere nothing. I seemed to dwell on high, and the place of defence to be the munition of rocks.
*i engaged in the duties of my family with a sweet consciousness that God was present with me.
* I was entirely swallowed up in God, as my only portion, and his honour and glory was the object of my supreme desire and delight. At the same time I felt a far greater love to the children of God, than ever before. I seemed to love them as my own soul; and when I saw them my heart went out towards them with an inexpressible endearedness and sweetness. I beheld them by faith in their risen and glorified state, with spiritual bodies refashioned after the image of Christ's glorious body, and arrayed in the beauty of heaven. The time when they would be so appeared very near, by faith it seemed as if it were present. This was accompanied by a ravishing sense of the unspeakable joys
HER HUSBAND SAID ABOUT HER:
*Instead of neglecting the business of life, she performed it with greater alacrity as a part of her service to God, declaring that when it was thus done, it was as delightful as prayer itself.
A LETTER TO HER DAUGHTER, after Jonathan, her husband, and her son-in law died:
*My very dear child,
What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod and lay our hands on our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore his goodness that we had him [her husband] so long.
But my God lives; and he has my heart. O what a legacy my husband and your father has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am, and love to be.
Your ever affectionate mother, Sarah Edwards.
AUTHORS REFLECTIONS:
*History is not just a random series of events. It is the history of Redemption. It is the overflow in time of the eternal inter-trinitarian love of God. It is the language of God's redemptive love. There is a cosmic conflict going on between God's kingdom, and the forces of darkness, but victory was won at Calvary. The little stone which smashes ungodly empires is filling and will fill the whole earth.”
FROM HER OWN WRITINGS:
*prize nearness to Christ as the creature's greatest happiness.
* My safety, and happiness, and eternal enioument of God's immutable love, seemed as durable and unchangeable as God himself.
* The presence of God was so near and so real, that I seemed scarcely conscious of anything else. God the Father, and the Lord Jesus, seemed as distinct persons, both manifesting their inconceivable loveliness and mildness and gentleness, and their great and immutable love to me. I seemed to be taken under the care and charge of my God and Saviour in an inexpressibly endearing manner; and Christ appeared to me as a mighty Saviour, under the character of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, taking my heart, with all its corruptions, under his care, and putting it at his feet.
* in all things which concerned me, I felt myself safe, under the protection of the Father and Saviour: Who appeared with supreme kindness to keep a record of everything I did and of everything that was done to me, purely for my good.
* I felt myself more perfectly weaned from all things here below, than ever before. The whole world, with all its enjoyments and all its troubles, seemed to be nothing.
My God was my all, my only portion. No possible suffering seemed worth regarding: all persecutions and torments were a mere nothing. I seemed to dwell on high, and the place of defence to be the munition of rocks.
*i engaged in the duties of my family with a sweet consciousness that God was present with me.
* I was entirely swallowed up in God, as my only portion, and his honour and glory was the object of my supreme desire and delight. At the same time I felt a far greater love to the children of God, than ever before. I seemed to love them as my own soul; and when I saw them my heart went out towards them with an inexpressible endearedness and sweetness. I beheld them by faith in their risen and glorified state, with spiritual bodies refashioned after the image of Christ's glorious body, and arrayed in the beauty of heaven. The time when they would be so appeared very near, by faith it seemed as if it were present. This was accompanied by a ravishing sense of the unspeakable joys
HER HUSBAND SAID ABOUT HER:
*Instead of neglecting the business of life, she performed it with greater alacrity as a part of her service to God, declaring that when it was thus done, it was as delightful as prayer itself.
A LETTER TO HER DAUGHTER, after Jonathan, her husband, and her son-in law died:
*My very dear child,
What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod and lay our hands on our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore his goodness that we had him [her husband] so long.
But my God lives; and he has my heart. O what a legacy my husband and your father has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am, and love to be.
Your ever affectionate mother, Sarah Edwards.
AUTHORS REFLECTIONS:
*History is not just a random series of events. It is the history of Redemption. It is the overflow in time of the eternal inter-trinitarian love of God. It is the language of God's redemptive love. There is a cosmic conflict going on between God's kingdom, and the forces of darkness, but victory was won at Calvary. The little stone which smashes ungodly empires is filling and will fill the whole earth.”
February 6, 2025
“From Creation to the Second Coming. History is not just a random series of events. It is the history of Redemption. It is the overflow in time of the eternal inter-trinitarian love of God. It is the language of God's redemptive love. There is a cosmic conflict going on between God's kingdom, and the forces of darkness, but victory was won at Calvary. The little stone which smashes ungodly empires is filling and will fill the whole earth.”
One such stone was Sarah Edwards, wife of the eighteenth century revivalist Jonathan Edwards. ‘A life changed, a church revived, a nation reformed, and a world evangelised.’ That sums up the priorities of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards.” Sarah desired God and sought holiness. “She had submitted to God in times of pain, she had battled temptation, she had used the means of grace (prayer, listening to preaching, reading the Word, spiritual conversation, and engaging in works of mercy and service)...that she would know God's smile.”
Sarah journaled her experience of revival at this time (January/February) 283 years ago. The tapestry of her testimony is threaded through with the themes of:
1. Desire for greater holiness
2. Submission of all to God
3. Desire for God's glory
4. Joyful assurance of God's love and forgiveness: an anticipation of heaven
5. Intense love for others: unwillingness to have any judgmental thoughts
However, “A ‘dramatic conversion’ experience was meaningless unless it resulted in a life of obedience…The essence of faith is persevering through the dark times because God is with us!” “Amen, Lord Jesus!” was the love language of Sarah’s soul. May it be said of me, too!
One such stone was Sarah Edwards, wife of the eighteenth century revivalist Jonathan Edwards. ‘A life changed, a church revived, a nation reformed, and a world evangelised.’ That sums up the priorities of Sarah and Jonathan Edwards.” Sarah desired God and sought holiness. “She had submitted to God in times of pain, she had battled temptation, she had used the means of grace (prayer, listening to preaching, reading the Word, spiritual conversation, and engaging in works of mercy and service)...that she would know God's smile.”
Sarah journaled her experience of revival at this time (January/February) 283 years ago. The tapestry of her testimony is threaded through with the themes of:
1. Desire for greater holiness
2. Submission of all to God
3. Desire for God's glory
4. Joyful assurance of God's love and forgiveness: an anticipation of heaven
5. Intense love for others: unwillingness to have any judgmental thoughts
However, “A ‘dramatic conversion’ experience was meaningless unless it resulted in a life of obedience…The essence of faith is persevering through the dark times because God is with us!” “Amen, Lord Jesus!” was the love language of Sarah’s soul. May it be said of me, too!
July 19, 2025
This wonderful little biography of Sarah Edwards life greatly exceeded my expectations for it. I knew very little about Sarah Edwards and after reading this book, I feel I've been introduced to an incredible godly mother, wife and dear believer the Lord Jesus. (I listened to this book on audible which I highly recommend, it was well done!)
I was incredibly moved by her powerful experience of the Lord that she had in the middle of her life. The chapter where Sharon James describes this experience from Sarah Edward's own diary is worth reading alone. Edwards describes this experience as a "foretaste of heaven". Edwards describes many moments of being overwhelmed at the thought of God and his love for her and all that Christ accomplished on the cross. These experiences led her to a point of not being able to do anything else out of sheer thankfulness and admiration and awe. She began to desire less of the world, more of the word of God and led her to a position of constant worship at home as a wife, mother, pastors wife and servant of the Lord. She found anxiety and fear of death and fear of man completely gone from her life. She also went on to endure difficult trials and deaths. What a powerful testimony.
I was encouraged that this same renewal and revival that took place in Sarah Edwards is the same thing the Lord desires to happen in our hearts today. I highly recommend this book. I especially recommend it to any woman, especially those in the thick of raising kids or serving in ministry... it's a powerful testimony of how the Lord desires a heart of repentance and worship from us!
"I have given up all to God and there is nothing like it." -Sarah Edwards
I was incredibly moved by her powerful experience of the Lord that she had in the middle of her life. The chapter where Sharon James describes this experience from Sarah Edward's own diary is worth reading alone. Edwards describes this experience as a "foretaste of heaven". Edwards describes many moments of being overwhelmed at the thought of God and his love for her and all that Christ accomplished on the cross. These experiences led her to a point of not being able to do anything else out of sheer thankfulness and admiration and awe. She began to desire less of the world, more of the word of God and led her to a position of constant worship at home as a wife, mother, pastors wife and servant of the Lord. She found anxiety and fear of death and fear of man completely gone from her life. She also went on to endure difficult trials and deaths. What a powerful testimony.
I was encouraged that this same renewal and revival that took place in Sarah Edwards is the same thing the Lord desires to happen in our hearts today. I highly recommend this book. I especially recommend it to any woman, especially those in the thick of raising kids or serving in ministry... it's a powerful testimony of how the Lord desires a heart of repentance and worship from us!
"I have given up all to God and there is nothing like it." -Sarah Edwards
May 2, 2026
I’m new to the world of Christian biographies and haven’t much clue about Sarah Edwards as far as who she is. Her husband’s name and sermon “Sinner in the hands of an Angry God” is about the extent of my knowledge… and I don’t feel like this book added much more.
The first and last third of the book read as pieces of a biography but still seemed more anchored in Johnathan Edwards.
The middle of the book spent a lot of time sharing her first hand account of her personal “revival experience”. I don’t want to discredit it- I just wish there was more theological depth and biblical instruction shared alongside the account.
Though I admire her devotion and delight in the Lord and I pray to only care about God’s glory and his opinion of me above all else - as Sarah prayed and exemplified after revival… I’m strugglin’
Johnathan himself called me out when he said anyone not familiar with “religion of the heart” might think Sarah’s account a mental illness… a mother of 11 being in mental ecstasy to the point of being physically disabled for weeks sounds like a charismatic mania. Kinda like a Benny Hinn jacket moment, no? 😬 I don’t say that to discount her personal experience but to say- that doesn’t sound desirable to me. 🫣
My opinion all in all- her devotion and delight in the Lord, her steadfast peace and patience under great trial ✅ super encouraging and admirable.
Weeks of personal revival that include physical disablement and looks like a manic episode of a mental illness… eh, not so much.
The first and last third of the book read as pieces of a biography but still seemed more anchored in Johnathan Edwards.
The middle of the book spent a lot of time sharing her first hand account of her personal “revival experience”. I don’t want to discredit it- I just wish there was more theological depth and biblical instruction shared alongside the account.
Though I admire her devotion and delight in the Lord and I pray to only care about God’s glory and his opinion of me above all else - as Sarah prayed and exemplified after revival… I’m strugglin’
Johnathan himself called me out when he said anyone not familiar with “religion of the heart” might think Sarah’s account a mental illness… a mother of 11 being in mental ecstasy to the point of being physically disabled for weeks sounds like a charismatic mania. Kinda like a Benny Hinn jacket moment, no? 😬 I don’t say that to discount her personal experience but to say- that doesn’t sound desirable to me. 🫣
My opinion all in all- her devotion and delight in the Lord, her steadfast peace and patience under great trial ✅ super encouraging and admirable.
Weeks of personal revival that include physical disablement and looks like a manic episode of a mental illness… eh, not so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Sarah Edwards: Delighting in God by Sharon James was an interesting but ultimately uneven read.
What stood out most to me about Sarah was not her emotional revival experience, but her humility and lack of envy. She seemed genuinely content for God to work as He pleased, whether through her husband’s ministry or not. That quiet obedience and trust felt far more meaningful than the intense experiences that take up most of the book.
The structure of the biography felt unbalanced. The beginning and end provide only a brief overview of her life, and despite including some of her own words, I didn’t come away feeling like I really knew her beyond the basics. Instead, the majority of the book focuses on a short period of her “revival experience,” where she describes being overwhelmed by the love of God, sometimes to the point of fainting or being physically overcome.
While I don’t want to dismiss her experience, I found it difficult to relate to, and it seemed disproportionate for such a brief and deeply personal event to dominate the book. I would have appreciated a fuller picture of her life, especially her day-to-day faith and responsibilities.
Overall, this felt like an incomplete portrait. It may interest those specifically curious about her revival experience, but it didn’t provide the well-rounded biography I was hoping for.
What stood out most to me about Sarah was not her emotional revival experience, but her humility and lack of envy. She seemed genuinely content for God to work as He pleased, whether through her husband’s ministry or not. That quiet obedience and trust felt far more meaningful than the intense experiences that take up most of the book.
The structure of the biography felt unbalanced. The beginning and end provide only a brief overview of her life, and despite including some of her own words, I didn’t come away feeling like I really knew her beyond the basics. Instead, the majority of the book focuses on a short period of her “revival experience,” where she describes being overwhelmed by the love of God, sometimes to the point of fainting or being physically overcome.
While I don’t want to dismiss her experience, I found it difficult to relate to, and it seemed disproportionate for such a brief and deeply personal event to dominate the book. I would have appreciated a fuller picture of her life, especially her day-to-day faith and responsibilities.
Overall, this felt like an incomplete portrait. It may interest those specifically curious about her revival experience, but it didn’t provide the well-rounded biography I was hoping for.
February 25, 2024
This book has reminded me of the beauty of God,
of the fact that one day my voice will ever only flow in ceaseless praise to God (and why doesn’t that thrill me more?),
of my own self focus that comes to me as naturally as breathing, yet when I give up thinking of myself constantly and instead give my all to God, my joy, peace and contentment will grow in direct proportion.
This book wasn’t a “how to” on personal revival, but after reading about the life and experiences of a real wife, mother, friend, and daughter of the King, I find my heart longing for the revival of spirit that drew her close to God and gave her peace, comfort and joy in spite of the trials and cares of this world. I highly recommend this read!
“The glory of God seemed to be all, and in all, and to swallow up every wish and desire of my heart… my soul was filled and overwhelmed with light, and love, and joy.”
“I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising him. I was ready to wonder how the world of mankind could lie and sleep when there was such a God to be praised!”
of the fact that one day my voice will ever only flow in ceaseless praise to God (and why doesn’t that thrill me more?),
of my own self focus that comes to me as naturally as breathing, yet when I give up thinking of myself constantly and instead give my all to God, my joy, peace and contentment will grow in direct proportion.
This book wasn’t a “how to” on personal revival, but after reading about the life and experiences of a real wife, mother, friend, and daughter of the King, I find my heart longing for the revival of spirit that drew her close to God and gave her peace, comfort and joy in spite of the trials and cares of this world. I highly recommend this read!
“The glory of God seemed to be all, and in all, and to swallow up every wish and desire of my heart… my soul was filled and overwhelmed with light, and love, and joy.”
“I felt such a disposition to rejoice in God, that I wished to have the world join me in praising him. I was ready to wonder how the world of mankind could lie and sleep when there was such a God to be praised!”
September 30, 2023
mixed feelings about this book!
1) loved reading about Sarah Edwards’ life about hearing about how she showed her love for God in her marriage, as a parent, and in her general attitude towards suffering and death
“Amidst all the demands of motherhood, Sarah drew strength from her certain assurance of the love and care of God. She came to a point where she handed everything over to God - life or death, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, popularity or rejection.”
2) unsure how I feel about section on Sarah’s revival! These chunks from her diaries were super hard to read, and I’m not sure how to think about them theologically either as I’m wary in trusting the outward appearances of the spirit too much.
e.g. “In the evening, these words in the Penitential Cries ‘The Comforter is come!’ we’re accompanied to my soul with such conscious certainty, and such intense joy, that immediately it took away my strength, and I was falling to the floor”
1) loved reading about Sarah Edwards’ life about hearing about how she showed her love for God in her marriage, as a parent, and in her general attitude towards suffering and death
“Amidst all the demands of motherhood, Sarah drew strength from her certain assurance of the love and care of God. She came to a point where she handed everything over to God - life or death, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, popularity or rejection.”
2) unsure how I feel about section on Sarah’s revival! These chunks from her diaries were super hard to read, and I’m not sure how to think about them theologically either as I’m wary in trusting the outward appearances of the spirit too much.
e.g. “In the evening, these words in the Penitential Cries ‘The Comforter is come!’ we’re accompanied to my soul with such conscious certainty, and such intense joy, that immediately it took away my strength, and I was falling to the floor”
March 10, 2025
A powerful account of the life of Sarah Edwards. She persevered as a wife, mother, fellow sister in Christ, servant at her church, and most of all as a servant of Christ. She did not give any credit to herself other than to her Savior and she clung to Christ so deeply in all things. I was very encouraged by her!!!
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14, 16-19 ESV
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14, 16-19 ESV
April 15, 2026
I love Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, but this book was odd. It's basically broken into thirds. The first third and the last third are more biography of Jonathan Edwards (with little things on Sarah thrown in) and the middle third was a lengthy, first person account of a strange spiritual encounter that Sarah had during the Great Awakening where she was so overwhelmed by God and his love that she was bedridden for almost a month. I left with way more questions than answers. One of my biggest concerns is that I'm not sure anything critical was ever written about Sarah. There also wasn't much commentary. After the unusual first person account of her spiritual encounter, I feel like I needed a lot of commentary. I get that there may not be many records of her life to go on, but while this felt well intended, it was poorly executed.
June 4, 2023
Sharon James wrote an excellent short biography of Sarah Edwards that was far from dry or irrelevant. The life of Sarah Edwards is inspiring and a remarkable insight into the lives of Christians in early American history and of the legacy a godly wife and mother can have.
The chapters in Sarah Edwards: Delighting God are short, and each chapter ends with a few reflection questions. I also appreciate the extra resources included: a small map, timeline, and list of resources for further reading.
Read the full book review at https://laurenducommun.com/2023/06/04...
The chapters in Sarah Edwards: Delighting God are short, and each chapter ends with a few reflection questions. I also appreciate the extra resources included: a small map, timeline, and list of resources for further reading.
Read the full book review at https://laurenducommun.com/2023/06/04...
February 29, 2024
This was a very interesting read. I loved the short chapters and discussion questions after each one--it felt like it could be an approachable book for a high-school or college devotional book group. I really liked getting some insight into who Sarah Edwards was-the strongest part of the book was her own writing about the revival that took place. I do wish the book had centered Sarah I little more rather than always going back to talk about her husband. However, given the nature of his job and the years they lived in--I am sure that it is hard to find anything other than his acccounts, and his work helped put her life in perspective.
March 11, 2025
Short and encouraging biography! Sharon James captures Sarah’s love for the Lord and how God allowed revival in her own heart. By revival, I mean that a portion of the book contained Sarah’s personal writings of when clarity on God’s Word (His character, attributes, and faithfulness) was specifically overwhelming to her.
As a result, she surrendered even her deepest of fears - slander, grief, loss of possessions, and a harsh death. She rejoiced that He could use any of these things for His glory and that she was unconditionally loved by her Savior. God used this in preparation for many hardships ahead in which she responded to with humility.
As a result, she surrendered even her deepest of fears - slander, grief, loss of possessions, and a harsh death. She rejoiced that He could use any of these things for His glory and that she was unconditionally loved by her Savior. God used this in preparation for many hardships ahead in which she responded to with humility.
July 19, 2025
This book is fairly short and a quick read but gives a good picture of the character of Sarah Edwards. It begins as more of a biography of Jonathan Edwards, but builds to the revival of 1734-1742. The author includes Sarah’s first hand testimony of her own personal spiritual revival experiences. After discussing all that Sarah felt and experienced during that time, the rest of her life is a quick summary, showing how God used that to strengthen her for the work He had for her until her death. It was a good book. Interesting to see a glimpse into the life and times of a godly woman in the 18th century.
May 13, 2026
Just read this book today in one sitting... very quiet and edifying read!!
I liked the author's Ann Judson biography better, but it was very encouraging nonetheless. There were many points about Jonathan and Sarah's Edwards' lives that were new to me. I was most impacted by the desire to care less about other's opinions of me and my family (as a ministry family) and instead focus all the more whole-heartedly on serving and pleasing the Lord.
It was heavy on the exerts/quotes from other biographical sources so that was my one reason for a star off. It made the text feel clunky at times.
Overall a great read though... wonderful way to spend my afternoon today!!
I liked the author's Ann Judson biography better, but it was very encouraging nonetheless. There were many points about Jonathan and Sarah's Edwards' lives that were new to me. I was most impacted by the desire to care less about other's opinions of me and my family (as a ministry family) and instead focus all the more whole-heartedly on serving and pleasing the Lord.
It was heavy on the exerts/quotes from other biographical sources so that was my one reason for a star off. It made the text feel clunky at times.
Overall a great read though... wonderful way to spend my afternoon today!!
July 27, 2024
A lovely short biography of Sarah Edwards. She was a sweet and tender soul towards the Lord and many of her journal excerpts blessed me greatly. Also, the mutual respect for one another between her and Jonathan Edwards was a beautiful picture.
“Under a delightful sense of the immediate presence and love of God, these words seemed to come over and over again in my mind, ‘My God, my all: my God, my all.’ The presence of God was so near and so real, that I seemed scarcely conscious of anything else.”
“Under a delightful sense of the immediate presence and love of God, these words seemed to come over and over again in my mind, ‘My God, my all: my God, my all.’ The presence of God was so near and so real, that I seemed scarcely conscious of anything else.”
June 2, 2024
I don’t really know much about revival and so enjoying reading about Sarah Edwards’s experience. I liked the balanced view of this book and the exploration of before, during and after the revival experience. I thought it was very valuable to assess the fruit resulting from the experience.
Very challenging - which is a good thing! Are we truly ready to give all up for the Lord. I pray my answer will always be ‘Yes Lord and Amen’.
Very challenging - which is a good thing! Are we truly ready to give all up for the Lord. I pray my answer will always be ‘Yes Lord and Amen’.
May 4, 2025
A wonderful account of the life of Sarah Edwards and particularly her incredible experience of the love of God during the revivals in the 1700s. It was fascinating to read her own words in one of the chapters and Sharon James is an excellent writer in the rest of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reflection questions were also excellent and I would recommend reading the endnotes as you go through the book as they often add much to what is being read.
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