This is the newest release of Desiring God now published by Crossway. In this video, I briefly take a look at what’s different as well as talk about why this is such an impactful book. You can pick up your copy at:
Amazon (affiliate)
If you’d rather read the written review then please keep scrolling!
Every now and then, you encounter a book that absolutely changes the rest of your life. For me, that book is Desiring God by John Piper.
I first came across it in college. I still remember going home on winter break, sitting on the floor of my parents’ basement, and falling asleep with the book open beside me because I simply couldn’t put it down. That’s how gripping it was—and still is.
I will be forever grateful to John Piper for writing this book, because it turned my world upside down.
Why Review an Old Book?
You might be asking, “Cam, why are you reviewing such an old book?” Fair question.
The reason is that a new and final revision has been released. Over the years, Desiring God has come out in multiple formats—paperback, hardcover, part of Piper’s collected works, and now this beautifully designed edition from Crossway. This latest version updates the introduction, with Piper reflecting on current events and cultural changes, while affirming that the central message of the book has remained the same.
There’s even a new introduction by Justin Taylor of Crossway, highlighting the massive impact this book has had over the decades.
The Core Message
At its heart, Desiring God is built on one powerful truth:
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
Piper calls this concept Christian Hedonism. Whether you use that label or not, the idea is simple yet profound—the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.
That theme runs through every chapter as Piper explores how we glorify God in different areas of life—money, conversion, missions, prayer, and more. Each topic points back to this truth: delighting in God is central to the Christian life.
A Paragraph Worth Quoting
I could rave about this book all day. It’s filled with quotable lines and life-changing insights on almost every page. But let me share one short section from the preface that captures its heart:
“The older I get, the more I am persuaded that Nehemiah 8:10 is crucial for living and dying well: ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength.’ As we grow older and our bodies weaken, we must learn from the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter, who died in 1691, to redouble our efforts to find strength from spiritual joy, not natural supplies. He prayed:
‘May the living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual and our earthly hearts so heavenly that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives.’
When delighting in God is the work of our lives—which I call Christian Hedonism—there will be an inner strength for ministries of love to the very end.”
That’s the essence of Desiring God. It’s not just a book about theology—it’s a book about joy, life, and strength that endures to the end.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never read Desiring God, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s one of those rare works that can truly reshape the way you see the world, your faith, and your relationship with God.
You can find the latest edition linked in the show notes.
And if you enjoyed this reflection, share it with a friend who might need encouragement.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Cam Hyde 
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