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From the Grave: A 40-Day Lent Devotional
40-day Lent devotional from a beloved spiritual writer As for the field, so for the "The neglected heart will soon be overrun with worldly thoughts.” Careful cultivation yields a harvest, and the heart requires great attention. . From the Grave, a 40-day Lent devotional, reflects on this critical spiritual dynamic. It features A. W. Tozer’s best insights on faith, repentance, suffering, and redemption. Gleaned from transcribed sermons, editorials, and published books, each moving reflection has been carefully selected for the season of Lent. It addresses themes Each day features a brief portion of Scripture for meditation followed by a reflection from Tozer. Together the entries take you on a journey from the garden to the grave to light of day—the “pain-wracked path” to life.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 3, 2017
81 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
A.W. Tozer
665 books2,107 followersAiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 7, 2021
I’ve just finished reading this for the second time. I’ve heard a lot of folks who have called Tozer “heavy” and the like. I find that, to truly appreciate him, I do so slowly, as part of my morning prayer, writing, and contemplation. This book contains excerpts from his other writings. It challenges me and causes me to think. To me, a book to be read more than once, filled with great wisdom.
March 19, 2017
There are a great number of Easter devotionals available, from a great number of authors. I have even reviewed some that have been published this year, specifically for the Lenten season. You will not find a Lent Devotional with a higher quality of content, than From the Grave from the writings of A.W. Tozer. I am nowhere near qualified even to comment, let alone critique and analyze Tozer's writing. He is one of the most honored pastors, speakers, and writers in recent history.
What I do feel qualified to comment on is the editor's assembly of the material. The devotionals contained in this book are from A.W. Tozer's sermons and books and have been selected specifically for the season of Lent. The editors did a splendid job of titling each reading, choosing the Scripture, and aligning this with Tozer's words. The daily readings themselves are not fluff. Each reading is about three pages long, and the material is profound and inspiring. You do not skim this devotional before bed or just before you run out the door for work. Each individual reading is something you will want to study, consider carefully, and probably read through a few times until the message really sinks in.
The presentation of the book itself is excellent. It is a hardcover book with no dustjacket, and the pages are beautifully designed. My only complaint is that the yellow font used for each Bible verse can be hard to read in low lighting. I realize that the font was selected to match the cover of the book, but it is probably just too faint for most people to read without a bright light nearby. Aside from this, From the Grave is easily the finest Lent Devotional on the market right now. You will be blessed for having read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
What I do feel qualified to comment on is the editor's assembly of the material. The devotionals contained in this book are from A.W. Tozer's sermons and books and have been selected specifically for the season of Lent. The editors did a splendid job of titling each reading, choosing the Scripture, and aligning this with Tozer's words. The daily readings themselves are not fluff. Each reading is about three pages long, and the material is profound and inspiring. You do not skim this devotional before bed or just before you run out the door for work. Each individual reading is something you will want to study, consider carefully, and probably read through a few times until the message really sinks in.
The presentation of the book itself is excellent. It is a hardcover book with no dustjacket, and the pages are beautifully designed. My only complaint is that the yellow font used for each Bible verse can be hard to read in low lighting. I realize that the font was selected to match the cover of the book, but it is probably just too faint for most people to read without a bright light nearby. Aside from this, From the Grave is easily the finest Lent Devotional on the market right now. You will be blessed for having read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
April 16, 2019
Good read enjoyed it during Lent. I liked following the devotional and reading it each day. I would recommend it. It may be one th as t I will read each year during Lent.
Good read enjoyed it during Lent. I liked following the devotional and reading it each day. I would recommend it. It may be one th as t I will read each year during Lent.
Good read enjoyed it during Lent. I liked following the devotional and reading it each day. I would recommend it. It may be one th as t I will read each year during Lent.
April 17, 2019
I truly enjoyed Tozer's devotional. He made some excellent points. Many of which I will remember.
April 3, 2018
This book is made up of 40 very short selected readings from the preaching and teaching of A.W. Tozer meant to help guide the Christian though the Lenten season.
I give this book three stars not because the content is average, more so the selection of the content was somewhat disappointing. Tozer was a prophet in his day and speaks truth powerfully, though boarders on legalism at times. At first as I began to read it was refreshing and cut to the heart. However, as Lent continued o realized the book was simply the same message, we don’t do enough as disciples, over and over again. By the end of the book I was dull to the readings and knew what I would read before I read.
Having previously read Tozer I know he writes and teachers far more broadly than this devotional portrays. Still, I’m it was a spiritual encouragement and further stirred my affection for Christ and a commitment to discipleship and holiness
I give this book three stars not because the content is average, more so the selection of the content was somewhat disappointing. Tozer was a prophet in his day and speaks truth powerfully, though boarders on legalism at times. At first as I began to read it was refreshing and cut to the heart. However, as Lent continued o realized the book was simply the same message, we don’t do enough as disciples, over and over again. By the end of the book I was dull to the readings and knew what I would read before I read.
Having previously read Tozer I know he writes and teachers far more broadly than this devotional portrays. Still, I’m it was a spiritual encouragement and further stirred my affection for Christ and a commitment to discipleship and holiness
November 16, 2023
I so enjoy Tozer and even though his writings are from many years ago they are still so spot on and relevant.
April 2, 2024
"It seems that He makes our crosses of all the things we like the best so that when they turn to bitterness we are able to learn the true measure of eternal values." I especially loved the first half of this. The second half, not so much. But overall, this was a beautiful daily devotional. Here are several favorite quotes:
Lent commemorates Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. The purpose of the season of Lent is to prepare believers for commemorating Jesus' self-sacrifice, especially as it is displayed in His death and resurrection, and to help them in a concrete way, the Christian journey from death to new life.
Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,
And thy Maker is not by:
Think not thou canst weep a tear,
And thy Maker is not near.
(William Blake. "On Another's Sorrow." )
True saints of God have always born witness that wholehearted obedience brings the cross into the light quicker than anything else.
Phil 3:10-11
Paul was willing to be crucified with Christ, but in our day, we want to die a piece at a time so we can rescue little parts of ourselves from the cross.
The Christian is on the throne until he puts himself on the cross.
We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying.
If there is anything that we have got to get straight, it is how little we are.
The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith… so faith and obedience are forever joined, and each one is without value when separated from the other.
No conscious, moral being can be imagined to exist for even one moment in a non-moral situation.
The heart that learns to die with Christ soon knows the blessed experience of rising with him.
He took one through the meaning of the cross to the understanding that beyond the cross, there is resurrection life, and power and identification with the Risen Christ.
...the cross not only brings Christ's life to an end, it ends also the first life, the old life of every one of His true followers.
...the hammer is a useful tool, but the nail...could present another side of the story. For the nail knows the hammer only as an opponent, a brutal, merciless enemy who lives to pound it into submission.
If we will not die, then we must die... Our uncrucified flesh will rob us...
There is such a things as consecrated griefs, sorrows that may be common to everyone but which take on a special character for the Christian when accepted and offered to God in loving submission.
It is not possible that the afflicted saint should feel a stab of pain to which Christ is a stranger.
The faith of Christ will command or it will have nothing to do with a man. It will not yield to experimentation. Its power cannot reach any man who is secretly keeping an escape route open in case things get too tough...
[He compares our souls to a farm]:
Only watchfulness and constant prayer can preserve those moral gains won for us through the operations of God's grace. The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts. The neglected life will soon become a moral chaos. The church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird...
Lent commemorates Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. The purpose of the season of Lent is to prepare believers for commemorating Jesus' self-sacrifice, especially as it is displayed in His death and resurrection, and to help them in a concrete way, the Christian journey from death to new life.
Think not thou canst sigh a sigh,
And thy Maker is not by:
Think not thou canst weep a tear,
And thy Maker is not near.
(William Blake. "On Another's Sorrow." )
True saints of God have always born witness that wholehearted obedience brings the cross into the light quicker than anything else.
Phil 3:10-11
Paul was willing to be crucified with Christ, but in our day, we want to die a piece at a time so we can rescue little parts of ourselves from the cross.
The Christian is on the throne until he puts himself on the cross.
We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying.
If there is anything that we have got to get straight, it is how little we are.
The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith… so faith and obedience are forever joined, and each one is without value when separated from the other.
No conscious, moral being can be imagined to exist for even one moment in a non-moral situation.
The heart that learns to die with Christ soon knows the blessed experience of rising with him.
He took one through the meaning of the cross to the understanding that beyond the cross, there is resurrection life, and power and identification with the Risen Christ.
...the cross not only brings Christ's life to an end, it ends also the first life, the old life of every one of His true followers.
...the hammer is a useful tool, but the nail...could present another side of the story. For the nail knows the hammer only as an opponent, a brutal, merciless enemy who lives to pound it into submission.
If we will not die, then we must die... Our uncrucified flesh will rob us...
There is such a things as consecrated griefs, sorrows that may be common to everyone but which take on a special character for the Christian when accepted and offered to God in loving submission.
It is not possible that the afflicted saint should feel a stab of pain to which Christ is a stranger.
The faith of Christ will command or it will have nothing to do with a man. It will not yield to experimentation. Its power cannot reach any man who is secretly keeping an escape route open in case things get too tough...
[He compares our souls to a farm]:
Only watchfulness and constant prayer can preserve those moral gains won for us through the operations of God's grace. The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts. The neglected life will soon become a moral chaos. The church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird...
April 19, 2025
I realized something about myself while reading this book: I don't like books of "selections" from an author, no matter how much I may respect the author. The content here is cropped from larger works, and I don't love not being able to see what Tozer was going to do with the paragraphs selected-- what part they would play in his larger argument.
As it was, the selections were (understandably for a Lent devotional) all focused on law: American Christians are too lazy, too comfortable, too compromised; do better. I agree with another reviewer that while these sections were powerfully argued, they all basically said the same thing, and I stopped marking anything pretty much halfway through the book. As one who tends to feel guilty even when I shouldn't, I had to be cautious while reading.
Anyway, all the selections were well-written, incisive, and true; they were all just...selections, and one-note selections at that.
As it was, the selections were (understandably for a Lent devotional) all focused on law: American Christians are too lazy, too comfortable, too compromised; do better. I agree with another reviewer that while these sections were powerfully argued, they all basically said the same thing, and I stopped marking anything pretty much halfway through the book. As one who tends to feel guilty even when I shouldn't, I had to be cautious while reading.
Anyway, all the selections were well-written, incisive, and true; they were all just...selections, and one-note selections at that.
April 15, 2022
If you want a good devotional to read leading up to Easter, this was a good one. I’ll admit it took me a few days to get into it, sometimes Tozer can be a little deep, but once I got in the groove, it was great. The only thing I have hold change if I could, was that it seems more like just daily reading. I personally prefer when my devotionals have application questions, because it helps me think more deeply about what I read. I just had to really dig to find the application myself….which is a good thing, it challenges me a bit. I still would highly recommend this one!
**I received this book for review from Moody Press. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
**I received this book for review from Moody Press. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 13, 2020
Every year I look for a devotional for Lent and this is the book I bought for this year. I’m so glad I did! This is the first book that I’ve read by Mr. Tozer and I’ll definitely be reading more. The truths that he speaks in this book took me back to my teen years, when I began being serious about studying the Bible and making a special effort to be obedient to God’s word. From the Grave was a good refresher course. The devotions are only 2 or 3 short pages, but very succinct and to the point. Excellent!
April 5, 2021
Tozer is always potent
Tozer seems to never be less than excellent, even when he isn’t electric he is valuable. This Lent devotional is no different. There are moments when I had to stop reading the daily entry to ponder, and pray - which is consistent with my experience of his work. But even when the moments weren’t as shockingly profound, there wasn’t a day that wasn’t valuable. Every entry was worth more than the time it took to read.
Recommended as a companion through Lent, or any 40 day refocus on the work of Jesus and the cost/expectation of Christianity.
Tozer seems to never be less than excellent, even when he isn’t electric he is valuable. This Lent devotional is no different. There are moments when I had to stop reading the daily entry to ponder, and pray - which is consistent with my experience of his work. But even when the moments weren’t as shockingly profound, there wasn’t a day that wasn’t valuable. Every entry was worth more than the time it took to read.
Recommended as a companion through Lent, or any 40 day refocus on the work of Jesus and the cost/expectation of Christianity.
April 11, 2020
This book was not written by Tozer specifically as a Lenten devotional. In fact, Tozer had an antipathy toward Lent. He appears to have been concerned that people would engage in the formalism of Lent rather than the substance of a true relationship with Christ. Nevertheless, the publishers of this volume have done us a service by pulling together selections from Tozer's writings and sermons to give us a Lenten devotional with meat.
April 1, 2018
A nice collection of some of Tozer's shorter pieces. There is not necessarily an Easter theme to this book, but like Tozer's other works, this book lifts Christ up as holy and infinitely worthy of our adoration. This book could be read any time of the year and serve as a refresher to our weary souls whenever the cares of the world become too burdensome.
April 28, 2019
I actually did not quite finish this book because I was very sick during Holy Week. But it was a good tool for focusing my thoughts in the morning during Lent. The short meditations ranged from suffering, to following Christ, to dying to self - all good focuses for the liturgical period. I will definitely keep it around and maybe come back to it with my children when they are a bit older.
March 26, 2018
This is a collection of some of Tozer's writings. I am not sure that there is anything especially "Lenten" about any of them. Just good, solid, A.W. Tozer. This devotional, IMO, would be useful anytime!
May 6, 2022
I always thought of myself as pretty intelligent but almost everything in this book went right over my head. This man does not write for the common layperson. It is too heavy and wordy and sometimes downright sanctimonious.
March 30, 2025
Not my fave by this author.
I found it a bit boring and honestly I didn't agree with everything he is saying doctrinally. but that's ok!! I actually didn't read the entire thing. All but 2 chapters.
I found it a bit boring and honestly I didn't agree with everything he is saying doctrinally. but that's ok!! I actually didn't read the entire thing. All but 2 chapters.
April 22, 2019
Wonderful and challenging selections. This collection is structured for weeknight only readings.
May 7, 2019
Another great Tozer collection!
A great man of God, Tozer continues to remind us of the powerful Christ we serve. I will continue to use this as a Lent devotional every year.
A great man of God, Tozer continues to remind us of the powerful Christ we serve. I will continue to use this as a Lent devotional every year.
May 22, 2019
Our church gave this devotional away for Lent this year. I did the extended plan... lol. It's pretty meaty. A good collection of exerts from Tozer's writings.
April 16, 2022
Great devotional for Lent.
April 21, 2023
Great content.
Writing can be clunky to read because the devotionals are excerpts from Tozer’s sermons, meant to be heard not read.
Writing can be clunky to read because the devotionals are excerpts from Tozer’s sermons, meant to be heard not read.
March 25, 2024
This is classic Tozer, but the language is getting a little dated, overall a solid, mature Christian viewpoint.
April 19, 2025
Challenging but so glad I chose this devotional for Lent this year.
February 21, 2022
What is the cost of taking up our cross? What does the journey from death to life look like? In From the Grave, Moody Publisher presents a 40-day Lent devotional by A. W. Tozer.
A Holy Task with Spiritual Reward
This collection features selections from Tozer’s sermons, books, and editorials. Most take from Scripture in the New Testament, but you will also find your way in the Old Testament via the Psalms and Isaiah. You will come away with a more complete and fuller picture of the cross.
The theme of faith is repeated throughout the book. I was most moved to see how Tozer talks about faith in relation to sacrifice. In Chapter 4, he says that we must actually take the time to know God. This is a holy task with a spiritual reward. Progress in the faith means making sacrifices.
Trusting God Over Time
Tozer furthers this point in Chapter 9, showing that true faith brings commitment. He talks about trusting over time, and how we will all have a moment where we will have nothing but God. Health, wealth, friends, and hiding places will fail us. We are encouraged to pray to God that he would reveal our pseudo-faith and remove all of our false trusts. Tozer is challenging, but true.
While Tozer presents the hard truths and the costs of following Christ, he is also ready to talk about our rewards. Resurrection awaits us. We are heaven-bound. It is still God that does the work in us -- don’t get in his way. Eternal life is ours.
Living as a Christian
As you wait and prepare for Easter, mark the journey from death to life alongside Jesus through the words of Tozer. You will grow in your faith and learn what it means to live as a Christian.
I received a media copy of From the Grave and this is my honest review.
A Holy Task with Spiritual Reward
This collection features selections from Tozer’s sermons, books, and editorials. Most take from Scripture in the New Testament, but you will also find your way in the Old Testament via the Psalms and Isaiah. You will come away with a more complete and fuller picture of the cross.
The theme of faith is repeated throughout the book. I was most moved to see how Tozer talks about faith in relation to sacrifice. In Chapter 4, he says that we must actually take the time to know God. This is a holy task with a spiritual reward. Progress in the faith means making sacrifices.
Trusting God Over Time
Tozer furthers this point in Chapter 9, showing that true faith brings commitment. He talks about trusting over time, and how we will all have a moment where we will have nothing but God. Health, wealth, friends, and hiding places will fail us. We are encouraged to pray to God that he would reveal our pseudo-faith and remove all of our false trusts. Tozer is challenging, but true.
While Tozer presents the hard truths and the costs of following Christ, he is also ready to talk about our rewards. Resurrection awaits us. We are heaven-bound. It is still God that does the work in us -- don’t get in his way. Eternal life is ours.
Living as a Christian
As you wait and prepare for Easter, mark the journey from death to life alongside Jesus through the words of Tozer. You will grow in your faith and learn what it means to live as a Christian.
I received a media copy of From the Grave and this is my honest review.
April 27, 2019
I am reading this for the third year/Lent in a row. I was compelled to take notes the first two times and will undoubtedly take and see new notes on this third pass. It is a life-changing, view-altering, profoundly inspirational call to worship a Savior who suffered, died, and was resurrected for me personally that compels me to live a life in His service for the glory of God.
April 15, 2023
Some was great - good read
did-not-finish
December 30, 20242/19/2024 DNF a chapter in.
April 17, 2017
Good Tozer... as always. Tozer was a man who was mightily used by God, who makes the seemingly complicated, simple, and who refuses to put God in a convenient box. Most of the 40 days gave me something to think about, so definitely recommended, but not my favorite Tozer book (that would be "The Attributes of God, Vol. 1").
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews