When I Don't Desire God

Joy! Why does Piper, in much of his teaching and writing, make so much of fighting for joy in God? Why not just talk about the object of joy - God Himself? He himself asks the question and gives his reasons. He says that it's because God commands it in His Word and also because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him! Piper says, "God is glorified in his people by the way we experience him, not merely by the way we think about him. Indeed the devil thinks more true thoughts about God in one day than a saint does in a lifetime, and God is not honored by it. The problem with the devil is not his theology, but his desires." But what does one do when one doesn't desire God? Are there specific strategies in Scripture that help us "fight for joy"? On the one hand, Piper says, "When all is said and done, only God can create joy in God" . But on the other hand, he says, "if I didn't believe God uses means to awaken joy in himself, I would not have written this book".The primary means that God uses to awaken joy are the Word, Prayer and the World. Piper devotes two chapters to the Word of God (one to show its worth and the other to show practical ways in using the Word to fight for joy), two chapters to Prayer (it's focus and its practice) and one chapter on using the world to see the glory of God, thus enhancing our joy. He ends with a chapter on practical things to do when the darkness doesn't just go away. Here are some of the highlights of the book:First, how do we practically wield the Word of God in our fight for joy? He suggests several strategies: 1) By reading the Bible with a plan & with regularity. 2) By memorizing verses, paragraphs, chapters and even whole books of the Bible. 3) By meditating on the Word day and night (literally muttering in the heart with regularity) 4) By exposing ourselves to Bible-saturated people - both the living and the dead 5) By being a responsible member of a local church (because the Word is a "community treasure", and God strengthens our joy through loving community). 6) By reading Christian biography ("you get to see a person fight for joy over a lifetime") 7) By reading great books of Bible doctrine. I will let Piper speak on this last point (for those who struggle with weighty doctrinal books): 'I would challenge you to throw off the notion that weighty books of doctrine are joy-squelching, while light devotional books are joy-producing. It's true that the joy of serious reading and the thinking that goes with it (sometimes called study) may not be as immediate as the joy of singing in church, or seeing a sunset, or talking with a friend, or hearing a preacher with lots of stories. But the payload for joy may be greater. Raking is easier than digging, but you only get leaves. If you dig, you may get diamonds'Next, how does the practice of consistent prayer help us in our fight for joy? According to Piper, "Praying without ceasing" (praying with a spirit of dependence, praying over and over/often, not giving up on prayer) is the key to maintaining joy in God and His Word. He then moves on to the practical aspect of setting a time, place and method of prayer (the main method being praying the Word of God, much like method of the prayerful George Muller). He also mentions fasting and having other people pray with you and for you as other strategies in our fight for joy in prayer.Finally, how do we wield the world in our fight for joy? It is not just the Word of God that helps us see the glory of God (thus producing joy in us) but also the physical world around us. All our senses become partners with the heart's eyes to see the glory of God through the created world. He then talks about how both the indirect use and direct use of the physical world helps us in our fight for joy. He writes rather persuasively, "The indirect use is when we take steps to keep our bodies and minds as fit as we can for spiritual use...The direct use of the physical world in our fight for joy may be a trip to the Grand Canyon, or rising early enough to see a sunrise, or attending a symphony, or reading a historical novel, or studying physics, or memorizing a poem, or swimming in the ocean, or eating a fresh pineapple, or smelling a gardenia blossom, or putting your hand through your wife’s hair, or watching Olympic gymnastics finals". This was the best chapter in the book according to me. His final chapter on fighting for joy in the midst of persistent suffering is worth the price of the book as well.All in all, I found this book to be a demanding read (not just because of Piper's 'sometimes humdrum' writing style but also - positively - because of his profundity of thought and imagination). John Piper doesn't usually disappoint with his books and this book is no exception. But be prepared to dig to get the diamonds! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you in your fight for joy in God!

This book covers many facets of the fight for joy. Piper made sure that every page has at least one if not more specific reference(s) to scripture. The book walks through guilt, shame, depression, and spiritual apathy/lethargy and how to root yourself in God. There are four primary chapter dedicated to prayer and the importance of spending daily time with God in His Word. I highly recommend this book. Even if you’re in a joyful time, I would still recommend this book so that when you inevitably face a time where you struggle in your walk with God, you are already familiar with tools and methods to keep your joy in Him.

I received it on time. No damages. All good.

I read this book at the recommendation of my pastor because I wasn't sure whether I truly "Desired more of God" or "Desired to desire more of God". This book is apparently written to people who read Piper's book "Desiring God" and come away thinking they can't (or at least don't) desire Him.The title of this book couldn't describe its contents any more plainly than it does.It took several chapters before I was accustomed to Piper's writing style here. He makes a statement of fact about X (where X is "The importance of the fight.", "The nature of the fight", "The value of prayer", etc.) and then goes into several paragraphs of explanation by way of repetition. I hesitate to say repetition because it sounds entirely negative, and because it sounds like I make the author out to be a parrot. However, he's not usually quoting himself, he's quoting scripture, or a puritan, or Jonathan Edwards, or a great mind of the past. Usually it's a combination of all of the above that he relies on as the basis for validity of his statement.Not having read his other books, I can't say whether this writing style is unique to this text or not. I can say that it seems pretty well-suited to the intended audience. I think Piper expects his audience to be more than a little jaded, and so they need something akin to Proof by Exhaustion. That is, by being given a plethora of examples of the different ways you can evaluate the truth he is positing, you'll come to a similar conclusion he does about the core of it. I don't know that I've read another book that tries to give so many examples to make so few points.On the points he's trying to make, I think they're very basic. That's not an insult, because after being "religious" for the better part of 20 years, I still didn't truly understand them. This book was a great help to me in defining and exploring the fundamental activities of a person who Desires God.The first several chapters seem devoted to explaining the importance of Desire. Around half-way through the book, he switches to explaining the practical mechanics of pursuing a relationship with God that is characterized by Desire.I knocked off a single star because I'm betting others like myself could probably understand his main points with a less exhaustive treatment of them, and it can make for some pretty dry and tedious reading at times. For others though, perhaps that's exactly what's needed. Even though I consider myself on the fringe of his intended audience, I was able to glean quite a few good truths about the general principles, and practical applications, of a life that Desires God.

Great book. I've read it over and over throughout the years. Very helpful for anyone at any stage

I was challenged multiple times in this book..."If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: “This much, O God, I want you.”"

A good little book by a fantastic Bible teacher

I loved this book. Very practical and scriptural based help for believers struggling with finding joy in God. Also helpful for those who struggle with depression. Ive come back to this book multiple times to read certain chapters again. Definitely one of my favourites.

Bueno, ya quedó claro que tenemos que buscar la alegría y la felicidad en Dios (en «Desiring God»). ¿Pero qué pasa si no tengo ese deseo? ¿Cómo busco el gozo cuando no lo siento? En este fabuloso libro puedes encontrar las respuestas a esas preguntas y más.

É o primeiro livro que leio do John Piper e gostei muito. Nele o autor desenvolve a sua ideia do "hedonismo cristão", segundo a qual Deus é glorificado por nós quando nos alegramos e nos satisfazemos nEle. O autor suporta essa posição e várias outras fazendo muitas referências a textos bíblicos.Além de tudo é muito prático, dando várias dicas que ele e outros cristãos usam/usaram em suas vidas. Em alguns momentos ele explora ideias do C.S. Lewis o que também sempre é um ponto favorável.Recomendo fortemente a toda e qualquer pessoa!

John Piper is a well-known evangelical whose books should prove a blessing to all. This is no exception to anyone.