Bread for the Resistance: Forty Devotions for Justice People

by Donna Barber

Sometimes you get tired, doing this thing we call justice. Making the case, fighting the fight, having to explain again and again why it matters. You feel burned out or disillusioned. Sometimes you just need a word from the Lord. In these daily devotions, Donna Barber offers life-giving words of renewal and hope for those engaged in the resistance to injustice. When you face adversity, you can take courage. When you grapple with discouragement, you can find hope. When your legs are tired from marching and your knees are bruised from kneeling, you can experience rest and healing. Find here bread for the resistance.

Genres: Faith, Theology, Spirituality, Devotional, Social Justice, Nonfiction, Race

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2019

About the author

Donna Barber is cofounder of The Voices Project, an organization that influences culture through training and promoting leaders of color. She is also the director of Champions Academy, an initiative of the Portland Leadership Foundation that provides culturally responsive leadership development for student athletes. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Leroy, and their children.

Reviews

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible devotional for anyone remotely interested in themes of justice and activism.

[Kendra Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life giving devotional! In her epilogue, Donna Barber describes resistance as both the refusal to comply with something AND the ability not to be adversely affected by it. Each devotional in this book is “bread” to fuel the reader to refuse to comply to unjust things in our world, but also to keep the readers feet planted firmly in truth so as to not be adversely affected.
Each devotional is short, rooted in scripture, and speaks the truth of God’s heart for justice. Each one is truly bread to sustain and give life! Only thing that would make it better is a question or two at the end to help the reader apply what she shares into their own life. Would recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shot to the heart in a good way. Highly reccomend.

[LMB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't even get through the Introduction without crying! God knew I needed this book for such a time as this. Donna Barber, thank you for this creating this gift. I don't know of any social justice devotionals that are specifically written by BIPOC - I am so grateful to have found this. This is a MUST have for those who are feeling burnt out or tired. I love that the passages are directly related to Jesus' work of justice, are easy to understand and teach me about the defiant Jesus, the one I was never taught growing up in the church. For all justice-minded people: Church, this is the book to guide us in the rest we need.

[Chandra Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more “devotionals” like this. Ones with humor, and grace, and real grounding in actual life. This is not a devotional you read on your fancy front porch, while drinking a PSL, and journaling in your teal notebook. I mean you can (and I do have a teal notebook), but this is a devotional for when you’re crying out to the Lord, like the Psalmists did. Because the world is broken, and fighting for justice is exhausting, and we need the real, human, intense God-with-us, not simple, triumphalistic answers.

[Jenni Jex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 40 day devotional is written to encourage people who have a heart for working toward truth and justice where it is lacking in this world. The author uses scripture to encourage readers to seek the heart of God for wisdom and strength in this process. Each daily chapter is deep and thoughtful, weaving history, personal experience, music from urban doxology, and scripture readings with the perspective of a black woman living and working in America.
I appreciated the encouragement and scriptural foundation I gained in this book for justice work. I also benefited from listening to the heart of a black woman as she turns to the Bible when grappling with the confusion, pain and exhaustion that comes along with years of fighting and working for racial equality, reconciliation, and unity in America.

[Jason Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent devotional if you're into that sort of thing.

Fair warning: It's for left wing people. Left wing Americans specifically. And it seems also to be written for African Americans. And females. So yeah, if you're a left wing, American, African American, female Christian, this is targeted at you. I assumed from the subtitle "Forty Devotions for Justice People" that it was for anyone who considered themselves a "justice person" (I do). And at some level, perhaps it is. But ultimately, it's for a smaller intersectionality. Which is fine, but should probably have been marketed more forthrightly.

The theology is not terrible. Some things are very concerning, like the statement:

The powers that be were ordained by God for good for us, but instead many have chosen to destroy. This cannot continue, because the black and brown child has also been brought near and reconciled by the cross. We too have drunk from the well of living water and been invited to abundant life. (p. 143)

Our stand against racism cannot be rooted in redemption. A Christian anthropology must be rooted, not in redemption, but in creation. If we get this wrong, we have no basis on which to oppose racism regarding unbelievers. But much of the theology in the book is relatively good.

I have to admit I was disappointed by how overtly political the author chose to be. Biblical principles of social justice were applied to specific political movements and matters including the "one percent," "pipelines that destroy sacred land," Black Lives Matter, specific court case rulings, etc. It's not that I'm particularly opposed to her view on these things. It's just that I'm not sure I, an Australian believer, should need to in order to qualify as a "justice person." Christians unite around principles, not policies. We aren't allowed, biblically, to dictate what position a person must take on policy. Policy is principle applied in a specific geographical/political context for the governing of believers and unbelievers alike and is therefore not a simple matter of obedience to God. I wish this book got that more and did less dividing at a time when getting Christians to agree that social justice is important to God at all is a huge accomplishment.

Anyway, I think if you fit the very specific intersectionality noted above, this book may be edifying for you. Otherwise, you're not really the target. In either case, the book's value for edification is probably proportional to your agreement with the author's politics. Which is unfortunate.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really bad at reading slowly, taking things day by day. I want to get through books, soak up the wisdom or story or whatever and move on to the next thing. (It's almost like this is a metaphor for my prayer life ... HMMMMMMM ...) But I intentionally went day by day through all 40 (...41) of these, and was palpably irritated when it turns out the epilogue was a secret 41, because that meant I couldn't finish it yesterday. This is a me problem.

Also a me problem is that my memory is bad.

So setting aside that I probably should have read this without putting it in GR/with no internal feeling of pressure (but I caaaaan't), I did think it was good for forcing me to slow down and take in Scripture and wisdom in short bursts, even if not every devotion was super memorable in my swiss cheese brain. It's always going to be relevant, and I enjoyed Barber's writing and storytelling throughout.

[Bonnie Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good easy read that engaged the reader. I read it for our church book review team. I didn't like the title and was confused by it. Researching the author and the title, it appears it has an African American target audience (?). Certainly it's not limited to that sect. The title would not inspire me to pick up the book though.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best devotionals I’ve read because of its focus on justice work and its effect on the lives of those who work tirelessly in the space. Donna blends personal stories, Scripture, and metaphors to refresh, encourage, and reorient leaders in a tender way. Loved it from cover to cover.

[Sabra Kurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful devotional—Ms Barber pulls no punches when she talks about the work of fighting systemic oppression and our responsibility to continue even when the road is ling and we are weary. The musical interludes are a wonderful accompaniment.

[Catrina Berka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this 40-day devotional with daily scripture reading and a short lesson. Each chapter also included a QR code link to a related song by Urban Doxology (whom I hadn’t heard before). Definitely recommend!

[Steve Condrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, yet powerful

Barber uses plain language and lived experience to communicate spiritual truths that many Christians particularly in the United States have lost sight of. This is a must-read!

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible devotional. Perfect for this moment in society.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional was excellent. Barber includes a passage to read from the Bible as well as a justice connection. I also enjoyed the music suggestions throughout.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this timely, applicable, and engaging. I intend to read it again, perhaps yearly.

[Cassie Gonyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearing from the Word and Donna’s honesty & vulnerability made each of these devotions so refreshing! I also really enjoyed the QR code’s with musical worship along the way!

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good devotional with some really sound and beautiful wisdom. Worth picking up for solo time with God and encouragement.

[Juliet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up here and there as I needed some food for thought, encouragement to keep going, or feeling of being part of a movement rather than a useless individual.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and wise thoughts about social activism in society, grounded in Scripture.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound, Bible-based devotions, more substantial than many I've read. Less political than the title sounds.