Thriving in Babylon by Larry Osborne - REVIEWED

About the book: 
Thriving in Babylon (David C. Cook, April 2015)

Meet a man forced to live in a fast changing and godless society. He faced fears about the future, concern for his safety, and the discouragement of world that seemed to be falling apart at warp speed.

Sound familiar? His name was Daniel, and with the power of hope, humility, and wisdom, he not only thrived, he changed an empire while he was at it. Though he lived thousands of years ago, he has a much to teach us today.

Even in Babylon, God is in control.

In Thriving in Babylon, Larry Osborne explores the "adult" story of Daniel to help us not only survive - but actually thrive in an increasingly godless culture. Here Pastor Osborne looks at:

-Why panic and despair are never from God

-What true optimism looks like

-How humility disarms even our greatest of enemies

-Why respect causes even those who will have nothing to do with God to listen

-How wisdom can snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat

For those who know Jesus and understand the full implications of the cross, the resurrection, and the promises of Jesus, everything changes---not only in us, but also in our world.

You can purchase your copy HERE.

My Thoughts:

“God’s judgement always begins with his own.  Which is why he raised up the Babylonians and allowed them to sack Jerusalem, and maybe why he’s allowed the modern-day sacking of American Christianity.”  (p. 50)

Larry Osborne’s book, Thriving in Babylon, is a critically important book for readers to experience if they are hungry to learn how to ensure their faith thrives despite the darkness of the modern day trials that surround us.  Instead of allowing panic to paralyze our faith-walk, we can walk into each day with assurance that God is indeed Sovereign over all that is taking place – both in our lives and the world around us.  The bottom line ultimately can be summed up succinctly:  “Though our options are nowhere near as gut-wrenching or perplexing as Abraham’s, we still must choose if we are going to trust God or not.”  (p.105)

Osborne uses both biblically accurate and practical everyday examples and illustrations to encourage believers not to give up the fight as days grow ever darker around us.  He uses the framework of hope, humility and wisdom to build upon, and the result has become a powerful encouragement to believers no matter if they are new believers or if they have a mature and solid faith foundation. 

For me, this book was a literal godsend!  I read thoroughly, highlighted, underlined, and used a host of sticky flags to mark passages that spoke to me.  I think believers need this encouragement, and the challenge this book sets before us.  I can’t recommend this book highly enough!! 

“No matter what you’re going through at the moment, God hasn’t forgotten you.  He has a master plan.  He may well be preparing you for a place called Babylon. And if he is, it’s not so you can survive.  It’s so you can thrive!” (p.88)  

About the Author:

Dr. Larry Osborne has served as a senior pastor and teaching pastor at North Coast Church---one of the ten most influential churches in the country---since 1980. Dr. Osborne is the author of numerous books, includingAccidental Pharisees. He and his wife live in Oceanside, California. They have three grown children.

You can find him on the web on Facebook and Twitter.