Read This If You Need Gospel Encouragement Right Now
A book that will help you enjoy the life God has given you
Things Worth Reading
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Enjoyment by Ray Ortlund, Jr.
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If you need gospel encouragement right now, read this book.
Then read it again.
Why it’s worth your time
I’ve had the honor of knowing Ray Ortlund for most of my adult life. He was my pastor for many years, and is my friend still today. I’ve read just about everything he’s written—books, handouts, all of it.
So I was surprised to find this is my favorite.
Ray gave me an early copy. I was glad to have it, but I had no idea how much I would need it. Weeks later, his words are still echoing in my mind.
There are few people who can encourage a heart like Ray. He writes not as someone theorizing about Jesus, but as someone who has walked with him.
He’s like the apostle John of our age, writing as a beloved friend of Jesus.
That alone makes this book worth reading.
Here’s what this book helped me see:
God wants you to enjoy your life because he gave it to you. In enjoying it, you are glorifying him. Life is hard, but God is good, and the hardness does not overshadow, undo, or negate the goodness. You don’t have to let it.
Jesus, your Great Friend, is more excited and more invested in your life than you can imagine. It is okay to stop ruminating on all that’s wrong and boldly enjoy all that’s good. That’s not denial. It’s an acceptance of all of reality. Your life is worth living. God says so.
What it’s about
The book is essentially an extended meditation on Ecclesiastes 11:9–10:
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity
Ecclesiastes is a strange book. It’s an honest book. And the honesty of verses 9 and 10 of chapter 11, in particular, is that the Christian life is a mix of suffering and joy. We accept the suffering as from the Lord, and we enjoy the joy as from him also.
Why it matters
There is not a single person living who hasn’t wondered how to make sense of life. Good things happen. Bad things happen. What gives? Does God see this? Does he care?
He does. More than you do.
Part of God’s answer is his gift of wisdom—to live with eyes wide open, accepting the bad and receiving the good. It’s all too easy to lean one way or the other. Wisdom teaches the right path. And like everything from God, it’s not only a good way to live. It’s the best possible way.
Who it’s for
If you love Ray Ortlund Jr.’s writing: godly, gospely, clear, crisp, not a word wasted.
If you resonate with John Piper’s vision that God is most glorified in us when we are most happy in him.
If you appreciate the realism of C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien—a world filled with deep sorrow yet deeper joy.
If you feel a heaviness inside, a longing for joy, or are trying to make sense of what God is doing in your life right now.
If you need a clear, pastoral shot of gospel espresso.
Final thought
Your one God-given life is not a problem to solve.
It’s a gift to enjoy.
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