When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God—And Joy

by John Piper

Publisher:

Crossway

, 2006

Even the most faithful, focused Christians can encounter periods of depression and spiritual darkness when joy seems to stay just out of reach. It can happen because of sin, satanic assault, distressing circumstances, or hereditary and other physical causes. In When the Darkness Will Not Lift, John Piper aims to give some comfort and guidance to those experiencing spiritual darkness.

Key Features

• Addresses depression and other difficult topics from a pastoral perspective
• Offers insight and advice to those who are hurting
• In touch with modern understanding of depression as well as traditional avenues of Christian engagement

Contents

Top Highlights

“‘Stop looking at your faith, and rivet your attention on Christ. Faith is sustained by looking at Christ, crucified and risen, not by turning from Christ to analyze your faith.” (Page 41)

“This is the rock where we stand when the dark clouds gather and the floods lick at our feet: justification is by grace alone (not mixed with our merit), through faith alone (not mixed with our works) on the basis of Christ alone (not mingling his righteousness with ours), to the glory of God alone (not ours).” (Page 16)

“It is utterly crucial that in our darkness we affirm the wise, strong hand of God to hold us, even when we have no strength to hold him.” (Page 37)

“That’s what the word ‘justify’ means: not make just, but declare just” (Page 15)

“Paradoxically, if we would experience the joy of faith, we must not focus much on it. We must focus on the greatness of our Savior.” (Page 41)

Product Details

• Title: When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God—And Joy
• Author: John Piper
• Publisher: Crossway
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 80
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Depressed persons › Religious life; Spiritual life › Christianity; Expectation (Psychology) › Religious aspects--Christianity; Trust in God; Patience › Religious aspects--Christianity; Depression, mental › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781581348767, 1581348762, 9781433520211, 9781581349191, 1433520214, 158134919X, 158134919
• Resource ID: LLS:WHNDRKNSSWNTLFT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T06:22:38Z

About John Piper

John Piper (b. 1946) is a widely respected theologian and bestselling author who serves as founder and lead teacher at Desiring God and is chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, Piper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He has authored more than 50 books, and more than 30 years of his preaching and writing are available free of charge at desiringGod.org. Piper resides in the Minneapolis area with his wife of 51 years, and has five children and 14 grandchildren.

Piper attended Wheaton College where he majored in literature and minored in philosophy. He completed his Bachelor of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he studied under Dr. Daniel Fuller. Piper received his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College.

In 1994, Piper founded Desiring God Ministries, which provides Piper’s sermons, articles, and information on titles he has authored. One of his bestsellers, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist, prompted the name of the ministry.

Several of Piper’s books have been Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Christian book award winners including What Jesus Demands from the World, Pierced by the Word, and God’s Passion for His Glory. The Crossway John Piper Collection (39 vols.) includes 39 titles from Piper, including Love Your Enemies and A Hunger for God. His preaching ministry of more than 30 years is available in the John Piper Sermon Archive (1980–2014).

Hear how Piper uses Logos for his Bible Study.