In Quietness & Trust : Lent Devotions from the Beatitudes

by Matt Searles

Early in his ministry, Jesus gave his followers a description of how he wants his people to live. Rather than seeking to ascend to God, Christian discipleship is a downward flourishing; a counter-cultural way of blessing.

These 40 devotions, with a daily reading and short reflection, will guide you through the beatitudes Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. This Easter, join Jesus on his path to the cross, and see that his way – though so different to the way of the world – leads to freedom, joy, and life.

Genres: Christian

125 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2025

Reviews

[Emma.catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely FANTASTIC book for the Lenten Season.

It is packed full of amazing resources, powerful messages and great music recommendations.

I highly recommend it for next years lead up to Easter 🙌🏼

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Quietness & Trust: Matt Searles shares a guide to Lent through the lens of the Beatitudes.

With 40 short devotions, Searles invites readers to explore how Jesus calls us on a downward path and embrace the humility of the cross. Instead of ascending to God, we work our way down, and find an abundant and blessed life.


Slow and Steady

The book is divided into eight themed sections: The poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, a hunger for righteousness, the merciful, seeing God, making peace, and persecuted because of righteousness.

Through short reflections, Searles offers a slow and steady walk through Scripture. He writes in a personal tone, offering insights and examples from his own life. I was most moved to read his words on examining our hearts. He says “The holiest saints are those with the softest hearts.” It made me long to be like Jesus.


Christian Discipleship

What makes this book unique is that there is an accompanying prayer and song for each devotion. For the music, Searles has curated a list with some of my favorite artists – and he includes some of his wonderful songs as well.

While written as a book for Lent, this is a book that can be beneficial throughout the year. The devotions will resonate as Christian discipleship stands in opposition to the ways of the world.


I received a media copy of In Quietness & Trust and this is my honest review.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed spending time in the Beatitudes in the run up to Easter; to see think on the upside-down nature of Jesus’ kingdom and the wonderful promises to those who seek Him and wait for Him. The appendix includes a very helpful selection of prayers and suggestion of daily readings from the Psalms, which I often used as some days I wanted a longer passage to meditate on. If I had to choose, I think I enjoyed more the set of devotions in Isaiah in Searles’ book ‘Comfort & Joy’, though I still recommend this book as a great set of devotions.

[Antony Billington · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have read through this book as a church community over the Lent (2025) period. It nicely coincided with a Sunday series we have been doing on the Sermon on the Mount. It’s felt like a good moment for us, with many of us reading the same devotions every day, and the book generated some helpful conversations among various smaller groups within the congregation.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of Lent devotions on the Beatitudes. Mostly helpful, but a few days seemed tangential to the theme. I also felt the last Beatitude became lost within the Holy Week emphasis. There could have been a different way to structure the 40 days which would have worked better.

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it as a Lent devotional - perfect