Ethan Harvey’s Reviews > Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist > Status Update

Joy in God results in love for others. Piper essentially argues in this chapter that loving and serving others is motivated out of a reward for joy in God.

He also shares a good point: pastors/preachers are to enjoy their work. If they don’t enjoy their work, then they should pass it off. There is no greater joy than sharing the Word and shepherding the flock—you are the very vessel of Grace.

Worship is not separate from theological depth. I especially appreciated this section. Loving God is also loving the richness of His Word. The richness of His Word produces the emotional spontaneous joy that we see in many Churches today.

Piper makes bold claims—grounded in truth—stating that faith without joy is not saving faith. Joy in God is essential to possessing saving faith.

A remarkable chapter giving insights into authentic worship. Piper engages what it means to emotionally love God and then thoughtfully love God. True worship is spontaneous joy. It’s crying out to God because you get to feast in His remarkable presence. It’s not avoiding hands raised, undignified worship rather it’s embracing the joy found in His presence. We shouldn’t flee from that reward but feast on it.

Really good introductory thoughts to the ultimate topic of Desiring God. It is true that man longs for happiness. It is also true that the Church in years past seems to suppress that feeling. Yet, to love God is to deeply find happiness in Him.