On January 2, 2023, Ligonier Ministries launched a daily devotional podcast titled Things Unseen, hosted by Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson is a teaching fellow and vice-chairman of Ligonier Ministries, as well as the Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He brings a lifetime of theological reflection and pastoral wisdom to these short, rich teachings.

For over a year now, I’ve listened to some of the episodes and was delighted to see the content compiled into written form. Whether you listen to the seven-minute weekday podcast or pick up the book, I highly recommend Things Unseen.

The title of the book comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, where Paul urges believers not to lose heart:

"[We] look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Ferguson’s stated aim, from the very first episode, is this:

“Every day Monday to Friday, we’re going to try and see how eternal things transform our experience of the things that are passing away, and how unseen things help us to live in a world that’s very visible.”

Though technically categorized as a devotional, Things Unseen is much more than that. As Derek Thomas rightly observes in his endorsement, “These are much more than devotionals. They are a digest of biblical and systematic theology in bite-size pieces—with some Christian living included.”

Structure and Scope

The book is thoughtfully arranged into 52 weekly themes. Each week includes five short reflections—brief, yes, but rich in content. Ferguson covers traditional categories of biblical and systematic theology, while also weaving in themes related to daily Christian living.

Even within these concise entries, Ferguson explores profound doctrines such as the simplicity of God and the two natures of Christ as articulated in the Definition of Chalcedon. The material is theologically deep, yet always clear and accessible, and is written in Ferguson’s signature warm, pastoral tone.

Week 1 begins with a meditation titled Happy New Year. While acknowledging the trials of life, Ferguson gently redirects our attention from fleeting resolutions to lasting joy—joy that is found in union with Jesus Christ. His reflections often include hymns, and in Day 4 of Week 1, he quotes Augustus Toplady’s A Debtor to Mercy Alone:

Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is giv’n,
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heaven.

What a reminder: the saints in heaven may be happier, but they are not more secure than we are in Christ.

Week 29 stands out as a beautiful example of devotionally-driven biblical theology. Titled Old Testament Passages That Shaped Jesus, it explores the Servant Songs of Isaiah (42, 49, 50, and 52:13–53:12), not simply asking, “Where is Jesus in the text?” but revealing who Jesus is—the suffering Savior who fulfills these prophetic songs.

In addition to doctrinal themes, Ferguson includes reflections on the Christian life with a personal touch. Weeks on Family Life and Texts That Shaped Me show how theology meets everyday experience.

Selected Chapter Titles include:

• Passion Week, Coming Down from Calvary, The Ascension, Pentecost, Christmas
• The Spine That Holds Your Old Testament Together, Big Moments in Jesus’ Life
• Divine Revelation, Scripture, Who Is God?, The Attributes of God, What Is Man?, The Fall: Reflections on Genesis 3, The Trinity, The Person and Nature of Christ, The Work of Christ, The Holy Spirit
• Ten Commandments, Parts 1 & 2; The Lord’s Prayer
• Christians Love to Sing, John Newton’s Character Types, Soul Shapes

In Conclusion, Things Unseen invites us to look past what is temporary and fix our eyes on what is eternal. It encourages us to walk by faith, not by sight, grounding our hearts in the deep truths of Scripture. Whether you read it as a year-long devotional or dip in for a few days at a time, this is theology for both the mind and the soul—digestible, doxological, and deeply rooted in the grace of God.