In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day (Book Review)

A couple of weeks ago I read Mark Batterson’s In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. The book was an incredible blessing in two ways. Today Evangelist Scott Dawson was to speak at our church, but it was a snowy day. We had to reschedule for next Sunday (3/8) which meant that I found out I would be preaching at our 9:30 and 11 a.m. services at 7:30 a.m. With the book fresh on my mind it gave me some great material to share with those in our church who braved travel to church on a snowy day.

Blessing number two: this is a very inspiring book; one that I needed to read on so many levels. In his book, In a Pit, Batterson takes an obscure passage of Scripture, 2 Samuel 23:20-22, and uses it to motivate his readers. The passage is about one of David’s mighty men named Benaiah who had a more than impressive resume. He was not only a mighty warrior but he had killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day.

Obviously using this passage for teaching would require some creativity. Sadly creativity in modern Christian writing often leads to something strange and less than Biblical. I love creative writers, but because I had become so accustomed to this path in modern writing I fully expected Batterson to follow the trail. Yet with Batterson, though the book is creative the application is solid and insightful. The manuscript is easy to read and contains some good teaching on worship, prayer, and the will of God in the midst of our most difficult trials. For those who love obscure studies and strange trivia, Batterson provides plenty to satisfy the craving.

If you are content to turn and run from challenges, leave In a Pit on a shelf. If you desire to find opportunity in your most difficult moments this is your book. I think the promo on the back flap provides the essence of the content of In a Pit:
What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure. . .your greatest fear?

The church is in dire need of men and women of strong courage and valor. I dare you to read this book.