Book review | Light in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Light in the Valley of the Shadow of Death: Stories of Ukrainian Christians During the War (Langham Global Library, 2025)

Edited by Roman Soloviy

Reviewer: Alan Rashleigh

Over the last 4 years it has been nearly impossible to escape the daily diet of news and images in the media, of the war in Ukraine. For a country so rich in natural resources it been for centuries attracted the avarice of other countries envious eyes and pockets on the riches of that country, often resulting in war. 

Very few people could look dispassionately at the ruthless destruction of the Ukrainian infrastructure affecting the everyday lives of ordinary inhabitants, whether targeting electricity, water, transport etc. It is difficult not to be moved by the evacuation of many refugees to other countries. 

But, how have Christians been affected? And what impact of the war had on their faith? This book is a collection of 12 personal stories written about and during the last 4 years. 

The contributors include several theologians in education, telling of the difficulties in maintaining studies, military chaplains, pastors, frontline soldiers. And most poignant a wife of a soldier fighting on the frontline, and the wife of a fallen hero, the mother of a wonderful boy. 

The first story is about a wife who rarely sees her husband, and the children their father, except by periodic Zoom meetings. Despite the fact she expresses deep disappointment in the actions of some of her (ex) friends, she has this to say, “Our freedom in Christ is both a privilege and a tremendous responsibility. We may be free to do anything, but not everything is beneficial or constructive is it? Are we ready to bear that responsibility?” To write such words in such trying circumstances is a testimony to her faith – and an example to us all!! 

The latter wife, in Chapter 11, entitled “Faith in spite of everything”. Daria starts with the parting to safety for one, and going off to fight for the other, each remember the time after they got married. She chronicles her family life, the advice she able to give to military wives, how her faith has grown. Two years into the war, Daria happily found out she was pregnant, but within a few day she heard Pavlo was critical injured. He later died. Daria found out the power of prayer from many churches throughout the world, and the strength she gained to raise her son, to pray with him and to continue to believe in miracles. 

This book is inspirational! 

Reviewer:

Alan Rashleigh has been a Methodist local preacher for 48 years and is a retired ATC chaplain; he is also a VAT consultant specialising in charities and a former Finance Director of LWPT and LWPHomes.

*The publisher provided compensation to support inclusion of this book in our review section. The reviewer received no payment and maintained full editorial independence.