Every Step an Arrival: A 90-Day Devotional for Exploring God's Word

by Eugene H. Peterson

Walk through the pages of the Bible in 90 days with a definitive voice in Christian spirituality. In this devotional, Eugene Peterson provides brief commentary and challenging thoughts designed to stir the biblical imagination and encourage even the weary believer.

Life is a mixture of deep joy, heartbreaking disappointment, and hopeful dreams. We long for quick answers, yet God invites us into something far better—a dance of worship, wonder, and mystery.

Discover this beautiful rhythm in Every Step an Arrival , a ninety-day devotional from the beloved translator behind the popular Message Bible and the author of spiritual classics, including Run with the Horses and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction .

Eugene Peterson believes our confusion about the world comes from a lack of clarity regarding who we are and, more important, who God is. Each reading focuses on a unique facet of God’s nature or of our identity. Drawing insights and stories from a number of books in the Old Testament, Peterson stirs the imagination and encourages travel-weary readers to keep moving forward.

Life is full of unexpected moments. But when we enter each day in rhythm with God, every step is an arrival.

Genres: Devotional, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Living

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2017

About the author

Eugene H. Peterson was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. For many years he was James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. He had written over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language a contemporary translation of the Bible. After retiring from full-time teaching, Eugene and his wife Jan lived in the Big Sky Country of rural Montana. He died in October 2018.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About the book • Author, Eugene H. Peterson• Publisher, WaterBrook & Multnomah• 192 pages• 90 day devotional• Touching• Insightful • Encouraging

This was a devotional that I looked forward to every morning. It helped me have fresh eyes with a renewed start of my day.
It takes a simple but complex approach to short passages of “The Message”. I’ve always thought it very important to be able to understand what I’m reading so I’m a big fan of this version. It isn’t my go to for study but it a great reference bible.
This devotional pushed me out of my comfortable complacency and had me wondering if I was really considering my roll in all of it.


This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

[Mike Panton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid devotional for people beginning to seek the word of God.

Eugene Peterson offers some great insight and poses some thought provoking questions that are important for every follower of Jesus to reflect on.

I would recommend it to somebody seeking a devotional.

[Derek Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very uplifting. A book that needs to be shared with family and friends. I recently gave the book to a friend who had recently lost her sister. A good reference book to have on hand to help you through rough times in your life.

[Hunter Brock · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eugene Peterson is the writer of the Message Bible, which is a paraphrase he originally wrote to explain the Bible to, I believe, his own children. He’s also written a book called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society, which focused primarily on Christians being disciples of Jesus and what looks like. These are the books of his with which I’m familiar: the latter book I genuinely enjoyed, and the former book I have not read in its entirety.

This devotional, written by Peterson, was pretty disappointing. The format is based on chronological quotations from the Message Bible, which is already problematic, not because of chronology, but because he’s quoting from a paraphrase. The applications he drew from said quotations were just on point enough that someone could easily relate to and apply them, but just off focus enough for that application to be detrimental to a person’s right understanding of the nature of our relationship with God and our purpose here on earth.

I think this devotional would be unhelpful for someone who’s just started on the path of Christianity, as it would set up wrong thinking about the Bible and about the relationship Christians ought to have with Jesus Christ, thinking that would make life considerably harder and more confusing later on in their growth. I also think it would be unhelpful for someone who’s been maneuvering the path of Christianity with diligence, because it would be a waste of time.

The more I read and review devotionals, the more convinced I am that it’s best to just read the Bible, and if you can’t understand it, ask your questions of someone who’s been reading and applying it longer than you have.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to keep an open mind with this book, but once again the author has turned me off with his single mindedness. If you are a Christian that believes Christianity is the only religion worthy of believing in and are content with totally dissing other religions then this guy is for you. Very smug in his beliefs.
The most annoying idea in this book is that other religions, according to the author, believe that God is the servant of people and that Christians are the only religion that believes in service and love towards one another. Honestly, what?!
For example , this quote:
“We in the Christian community are told to be servants of one another in love. Most other religions look at this differently. They turn the idea of serve around: God is the servant of man. If we know the right gods and the right things to do, we can get them to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves. Non-biblical religions are complex mechanisms for manipulating the gods for their own pleasure. “
I can think of so much that is not true about this statement. But one thing I know is this guy is an arrogant person who is wearing religious blinders.

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I'm a fan. Eugene Peterson has produced an excellent 90 day devotional, reflecting on many of the Old Testament books. And he does this with thoughtfulness and deep insight. As per usual, Peterson has a way with words that breaks through to the soul. His cadence and rhythm is a familiar friend that brings joy and delight. If you've never read Eugene Peterson, picking up any of his devotionals is a great introduction to his pastoral way of having a conversation with his readers.

Each devotional is just over a page long, with a reflection at the end. I did my best to read each selection a day at a time, to give proper time to let the thoughts sink in. But too often the title of the next entry would catch my attention and I found myself reading ahead.

I could be wrong, but I believe this was the last book of his published before he passed away. I thought the title, in light of his final days with us, is profound. Every step IS an arrival. Which gives hope and encouragement in this "long obedience in the same direction" that we work and play in.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The devotionals in this book begin in Genesis and take a quick trip through the Old Testament, ending in Hosea. Not every book is represented, obviously, but I think Eugene Peterson did a great job of summing up a lot of Old Testament knowledge.

These are short devotions, none of them taking more than two pages, most of them around a page and a half. Each one features Peterson's take on the referenced passage (quoted from The Message, of course), and usually ends with some kind of question or activity for us to ponder.

This was, in my opinion, a great little devotional book, and has contributed a great deal to my spiritual growth during the first part of 2019. And, being only ninety days, I didn't feel like I was reading it "forever."

I also thought it appropriate that Peterson ended this one in Hosea, reminding us that it is God who initiates forgiveness, God who is the offended one, teaching us that we ought to do the same with those who have offended us.

I highly recommend it.

[Ayekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic devotional in true Eugene Peterson style. Pulling from the Old Testament he brings us into today and what these readings mean for us here and now. And leaves us with questions and thoughts to ponder. This book will have a permanent home on my shelf and an absolute must read for those with a desire to look deeper. Those who desire a little more spiritual enrichment, or those who are merely seeking. It's a very different style from the typical devotionals we think of. Peterson's rich, lush writing style will leave you wanting more. I will read this many times over. Truly he is a gifted author.
Thank you to Waterbrook Publishing for this gem.

arc from NetGalley and Waterbrook for an honest review.

[Rachelle Sperling · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start I should say that I am a fan of Eugene Peterson's writing. His deep thinking and biblical imagination have often been a catalyst in my spiritual growth. In that way I appreciated the content of this devotional, but I would say it was just a taster. The devotionals in Every Step An Arrival are good for prompting your thinking if you are looking for something you can read in about five minutes, similar in length to My Utmost or Jesus Calling. Last year I used Peterson's sermons found in As Kingfisher's Catch Fire as daily devotionals as I prefer a deeper, longer daily reflection time. So, I suppose it just depends on what you are looking for whether this is the type of devotional you want to choose.

[Tom Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Every Step an Arrival, author Eugene Peterson writes a 90-day daily devotional that will stimulate your spiritual life and your intellect! Peterson walks the reader through highlights in the Old Testament which challenge the reader to spiritual growth! He writes: “We are always looking for a religion that has no demands, only rewards—a religion that bedazzles and entertains, in which there is no waiting and no emptiness. And we can usually find someone around who will help us make up some sort of a golden calf.”
I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 3 out of 5]

From my blog: "It is hard to note weaknesses of a devotional. They are generally short enough that it doesn’t matter if they’re altogether too engaging. Even a boring devotional should be able to capture your attention for a single page! But it is easy to tell when a devotional is useless, and I have already noted that this one definitely is not. While I know plenty of people (maybe even specifically my readers) have pre-conceived notions of Peterson, his theology, and the Message, I think it would do a lot of us well to spend some time interacting with this devotional."

See the rest at chriswerms.wordpress.com!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having really appreciated the dedication and work that Eugene Peterson put into translating The Message Bible, it was fascinating to read his thoughts in a devotional book on the Old Testament.
The complexity and depth he brings to the Scriptures chosen does demand thoughtful patience to ponder for your life and situation. From breaking negative cycles in our life to clearing away distractions that keep us from a focus on God and His love, Eugene delivers timely seeds to help hear God's voice in our lives and strengthen us for each day. However, this is worthy of spending more than 90 days reading, as you will want to really think about some passages and messages.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a 90-day devotional based on a number of passages taken from various Old Testament books. The number of verses, accompanying reflection from Peterson and the reader response question were all too brief to really provide any great new piece of wisdom or truth.

I'm not sure I've come away from the 90 days with anything of any particular note. There are many better books that Peterson has authored versus this one that has been compiled by the publisher's editorial team.

I received an e-book version from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectations of a positive review.

[Anthony Trufant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feasting On Peterson Meals

For 90 days, I sampled daily an appealing combo of insight and inspiration. Tasting of Peterson capacity to blend intellect, spirituality, and imagination whetted my appetite before I partook of my main course: Reading God’s word and listening for God’s voice in prayer. As a starter, Peterson’s entries never disappointed. I, along with so many others, will miss enjoying the rich spiritual and devotional fare of Peterson.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was written by the author’s editorial team. I am quite sure they produced this book to honour him but they should have done so in their own names. These devotionals fail to capture Eugene Peterson’s distinctive voice. I am so glad that there are many other books of his to read. This one was disappointing for me.

[Mark Dunker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty up and down especially with the application. Some app questions are strange and my response might be one day. They also don’t fit together. I appreciate the thoughts on the OT. I’m sure I wouldn’t read/use this devo again.

[Paul H. Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book

It's been a gentle a nd meaningful walk with Eugene Peterson. The choice of material was good and his exposition is always excellent.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book

[Brodie Smith]

A great way to spend a few minutes each day these first three months of 2022.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and worth pondering, Every Step provides nourishment for daily living.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the topics don't always flow from day to day (and I don't think were intended to), Eugene Peterson offers so much wisdom in these very short devotions. I find myself underlining and making notes and thinking and praying over the many moments of wisdom in these pages. I know this is a book I will return to many times.

[Rose Lafreniere · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic devotional written with both knowledge and love of Jesus .Very easy to keep up with ,each one includes Scripture, an insight and ideas how to include it in your life.