Gentle and Lowly, by Dane Ortlund
Have you ever felt that, as a
Christian, you weren’t enough? Have you ever felt that, even as a “Christian,” you were still broken? In
Gentle and Lowly by
Dane Ortlund, the author shows the reader a picture of God and His overwhelming heart for us, reminding us that we do not need to be perfect or unbroken to accept His love, or to be accepted by it.
The book gently walks the reader through themes that show us that no, our suffering does not create any barriers for God drawing near to us. And no, our sins, even our ugliest ones, are not a factor that keeps Him from coming close. As a result, this book becomes a deep comfort and encouragement for sinners and sufferers alike.
Artistry and Craft
Ortlund does an excellent job with his writing style. The prose is humble, sincere, and simple, creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere that invites the reader to be vulnerable, both with themselves and with God.
The author draws much of his inspiration from the Puritans and their careful reading of Scripture. Like them, he dissects Bible passages verse by verse, expanding on them almost like a sermon, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of what the text is truly supporting.
I found the chapter lengths in this devotional to be especially effective. They are perfect for an end-of-the-night read, perhaps just before reading the Bible. The ideas flow naturally and never feel forced or rushed.
Ortlund begins each chapter with a single Bible verse, grounding the chapter’s premise firmly in Scripture. I appreciated this approach, as it allows the text itself to speak first before interpretation follows. I also liked that he didn’t attempt to make his titles overly catchy or trendy for relevance. Instead, they feel like natural extensions of the book’s progression and thought.
Overall, the writing creates a calm and reassuring presence when confronting common insecurities such as: What if my suffering separates me from God or makes me less of a Christian? Or what if my past sins separate me from God or make me less worthy? These are fears many Christians carry, and Ortlund addresses them in a way that truly reflects the “gentle and lowly” nature of Christ.★★★★★
Themes and Messages
As mentioned earlier, the core theme of this book is found directly in its title: Christ’s heart, gentle and lowly.
Ortlund reassures readers that if we truly knew Christ, we would go to Him without hesitation. He encourages us not to hold back, showing us what our sins and suffering evoke in the heart of God and how gently He responds to us.
The book opens with a quote from H. F. Lyte:
Father-like, He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
This quote beautifully summarizes what the next 300 or so pages unfold.
Ortlund explores both the heart and the actions of Christ, how He will never cast us out, how our sins move Him toward us rather than away, and how tender His emotional life is toward His people. The book also ventures into the idea of Christ as a gentle friend, offering a deeply personal and comforting vision of faith.★★★★★
Final thoughts
I read Gentle and Lowly over a much longer period than most books, taking in only small portions each night and spending time reflecting on what the author was communicating. This slow approach ended up fitting well with a difficult season I was going through. The book’s emphasis on Christ’s gentleness and tenderness resonated with me, offering a sense of warmth and reassurance when I needed it most.
That said, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend reading the book this way to everyone. I think it’s more effective to read full chapters at a time so the reader can better grasp Ortlund’s overall argument and direction. When read in very small pieces, it’s easy to forget earlier points. Still, for me personally, this approach was deeply beneficial, repeatedly grounding me in my identity in Christ during a time when I needed that reminder most.
Overall, the book makes a bold yet comforting claim: God loved us then, He loves us now, and we are held securely in His heart forevermore. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know more about the heart of God and Christ. For me, it's a five star book.
If you’d like to explore more of Dane Ortlund’s work, you can visit his website here.
That's all folks! If you enjoyed the review, feel free to share and or leave a comment below. If you've read gentle and lowly, how did you feel about it? ❤❤❤
📬 Stay Updated!
I've added a subscription option to my blog’s main page, so you can subscribe and receive email notifications whenever I post. Feel free to check it out 😊
Comments