That honor belongs primarily to the millions of readers who have incorporated the book into their daily time of devotion. Bush has spoken often of his love of the book.īut it isn’t just the famous names that account for Utmost’s lasting popularity. The association with prominent Evangelical figures would continue through the decades: Jerry Falwell is remembered as a devotee, and George W. Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, started early group meetings by reading from the book. Among the book’s earliest readers were Billy Graham, Bill Bright, and Henrietta Mears. Yet Utmost swiftly won a following among American evangelicals-and not just any following. Its author was an obscure Scottish preacher who had died young-nearly 20 years earlier (this year marks the 100th anniversary of his death)-and who was mostly unknown and unpublished on American soil.

When this happens, I should allow the shame and humiliation it creates in my life, because it will bring godly sorrow, and “godly sorrow produces repentance …” ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 ).When My Utmost for His Highest first appeared in the United States, in 1935, few could have predicted that the little book of daily readings would become a defining text of American evangelicalism. Am I as filled to overflowing with love for Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He ever find me pondering the time when I cared only for Him? Is that where I am now, or have I chosen man’s wisdom over true love for Him? Am I so in love with Him that I take no thought for where He might lead me? Or am I watching to see how much respect I get as I measure how much service I should give Him?Īs I recall what God remembers about me, I may also begin to realize that He is not what He used to be to me. God is saying to His people, “You are not in love with Me now, but I remember a time when you were.” He says, “I remember … the love of your betrothal …” ( Jeremiah 2:2 ). How much kindness have I shown Him in the past week? Has my life been a good reflection on His reputation? It is wonderful to remember that Jesus Christ has needs which we can meet-“Give Me a drink” ( John 4:7 ). “Thus says the Lord: ‘I remember … the kindness of your youth …’” – Jeremiah 2:2Īm I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Does everything in my life fill His heart with gladness, or do I constantly complain because things don’t seem to be going my way? A person who has forgotten what God treasures will not be filled with joy. Am I as filled to overflowing with love for Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning? – Oswald Chambers

My utmost for his highest