Like the first two books in the Reformed Spirituality series, this third book consists of meditations by Protestant Reformed minister and theologian, Herman Hoeksema. The 46 chapters in this volume have in common their living, breathing zeal for the glory of the infinitely good God. God is only good—good in himself, good in creation, good in salvation, good in Christ and good to His elect people.

This set of beautiful meditations demonstrate that genuine spirituality rises from and ends in the glory of God, for the zeal of the soul for God’s glory is the most profound spirituality. Because the Spirit works true, healthy spirituality by sound doctrine, spirituality exists and flourishes by means of faithful instruction in biblical, Reformed doctrine.

“I have been much blessed by All Glory to the Only Good God.” – W. Yorkshire, England

“Thank you for the book All Glory to the Only Good God. What a remarkable read! I have been overwhelmed with the beauty and depth of what Hoeksema writes concerning our Triune God. I’ve never read a book quite like it. It is such a blessing. It is a transport of joy and truly humbling.” – England

A biblical, doctrinal, and Christ-centred devotional, this book addresses the theme of the believer’s communion with God. Each meditation expresses the knowing, desiring, feeling, and acting of the faith of the heart that is near to God and in fellowship with Him in Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Along with Peace for the Troubled Heart, Communion with God is part of the Reformed Spirituality series comprised of meditations written by Herman Hoeksema.

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“I simply could not read another word of your new book, Herman Hoeksema’s devotional gem, Communion with God, without a comment and a plea. This is a great book—as good as it gets in devotional literature. I have a huge library and feel that this, the second volume of this collection is so very special (as was the first one). My plea: please confirm that you will continue to release further volumes of Hoeksema’s incredible treasury. It is so abundantly clear that this man knew Christ personally. What a great read, a wonderful way to end my day, in preparation for sleep.” – Maine, USA

As I’ve previously written on some book reviews, Rev. Hoeksema has long been a favorite of mine. A more consistent, dogmatic theologian, I’ve rarely found. In my opinion, he was the best biblical scholar of the 20th century. For some reason, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he could write devotional articles with deep, biblical insights, as in this great book: Communion with God. Usually systematic theologians and devotional writers are separate breeds. This God-blessed and courageous man was definitely gifted in both genres. I highly recommend it to all those interested in sound, Reformed teaching – Pennsylvania, USA

“I’m currently using Communion With God for my morning devotions. How good that book is! I’m reading it again for the second time. I’m actually finding myself praying it. It is so saturated with Scripture.” – W. Midlands, England

“I have just completed a reading of Communion with God—very provoking!” – S. Wales

“I’m being greatly helped by Communion with God by Herman Hoeksema” – W. Yorkshire, England

“I’m reading Communion With God at bed time. It is a beautiful book, straight forward and very sound. I’m hoping to be making further purchases in the near future. The books are published to such a high standard, and are so sound and orthodox. It is wonderful they use the King James Bible too. All the books deserve a wide readership and are very reasonably priced.” – England

“I’ve just finished reading Communion With God by Herman Hoeksema. A beautiful book, so good I will read it again. I have never read a better devotional book. All the chapters cover helpful subjects which strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God. The RFPA books deserve a wide readership.” – Lincolnshire, England

The book contains 45 meditations on the Psalms that Vos originally wrote for the Standard Bearer. The title is O Taste & See: Meditations from the Psalms. It is a reprint of the book that was first published as a paperback in 1983. The reprint is graced with attractive hard covers. The front cover displays the old Hudsonville Protestant Reformed church building and the genial countenance of Gerrit Vos.

In addition to the devotional expositions of many of the Psalms, the book contains a biographical sketch of Vos by his daughter. How characteristic of him that he wrote out his will on the back of a church bulletin and that the will began, “When I fall asleep in Jesus.”

To preach the Psalms well is not the strong gift of every minister. Doing so requires the sanctified soul of a poet. It calls for the man who feels deeply into all the spiritual moods of the Psalms and who then can express these moods with lyrical voice. Such was the soul of Gerrit Vos. Such a man was the long-time pastor of Hudsonville.

The devotionals that make up this book are instructive, moving, and comforting. They are simple, so that every Christian can understand. They are profound, uncovering the depths of God’s revelation of Himself to the soul of His child by the Spirit of Christ.

They are also God-glorifying. God had to have His glory in all the preaching and writing of Gerrit Vos. I saw Rev. Vos’ zeal for the glory of God on an occasion that I have not forgotten. As a seminarian, I had spoken a word of edification on a Sunday evening to the congregation of Hudsonville. Rev. Vos was present. Afterwards, he sought me out. He said nothing about the sermon, which, looking back, I recognize as his unfailing kindness. But his face was aglow with delight that in the congregational prayer I had praised “our adorable God.”

(Prof. David J. Engelsma)

Click here to read a review of this book by one of our readers!

Chapters of this book have been translated into Burmese.

Peace for the Troubled Heart is a genuinely Reformed devotional, breathing the rich experience of the believing child of God.

Comprised of 37 meditations written by Herman Hoeksema, this book addresses the theme of struggle and suffering in this life of every believer as a pilgrim of this world. Hoeksema, in his warm, personal, often poetic style, masterfully exercises the spiritual gift of devotional writing.

As our author well puts it, “[God’s people] are preserved by the power of God, according to the testimony of Scripture … They are preserved through faith in such a way that the power of God by which they are preserved does not act only externally, but works through them, so that in the battle they cling tightly to the living God …” (Peace for the Troubled Heart, p. 293).

Click here to read a chapter of this book in German.

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“There are a lot of books out there on ‘spiritual disciplines’ that take a more mystical (aka Roman Catholic) approach and are not based on the Scriptures. This is NOT one of them. Rev. Hoeksema consistently exegetes (explains) the Scriptures on what a believer is to look like in real life and in practice. I have been challenged and encouraged by this devotional and have recommended it to many of my friends coming out of the contemplative prayer movement so that they have a solidly biblical devotional which teaches truth and not some mystical ideology.” – New York, USA

“Peace for the Troubled Heart has fitted in [with my personal struggles] beautifully … it continues to be so remarkably apt for my daily life.” – England

“I really appreciate the book, Peace for the Troubled Heart. It is written from a very good perspective.” – Texas, USA

“Peace for the Troubled Heart, the first of the 3 Reformed Spirituality series [by Herman Hoeksema] was great. I finished the other day, hence I am now on to volume 2. Some of the chapters in vol. 1 were outstanding. Solid food for trying times.” – Northumberland, England

“… Although I have yet to finish [Peace for the Trouble Heart], it is a treasure. Absolutely rooted in the Bible it truly does give peace in a world where Jesus told us we would have tribulation. It does not gloss over what Christians face in this world but points us clearly to what God has always had in place for His children when we are finally in our true home with Him.” – Newstead Victoria, Australia

The Psalms contain all the experiences that a child of God may go through, whether they be joyful or sorrowful. Thus author and minister Gerrit Vos directed the saints to these biblical songs time and again, in his ministry and his published devotionals. 

Peace in the Valley contains sixty-two of Vos’ devotional meditations on selected Psalms. These devotions flow from the heart of a man who devoted his life to ministry and to the needs of the saints in his care. Vos writes, not as a technical commentator, but as a pastor who wants to communicate to his readers the same awe and comfort that he experienced while reading those doctrinal and practical masterpieces which are the Psalms. Above all, Vos’ desire is to point his readers to the ultimate fulfilment of the Psalms: the God of peace as revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ, the only One who can fully sympathize with His saints in all circumstances.

Forty-five of these meditations have been previously published in a book titled O Taste and See. Peace in the Valley contains seventeen meditations that have never been published in book format before. 

Gerrit Vos (1894-1968) was a minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches in America from his ordination in 1927 until his retirement in 1966. He was a prolific contributor to the Standard Bearer.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments for peace and reflection can be a challenge. Yet, within the Psalms, we discover a treasure trove of heartfelt prayers, honest expressions of emotion and profound insights into the experience of every believer—that is, of a pilgrim and stranger in this world.

Through daily readings, thoughtful meditations and heartfelt singing, you’ll find in this book the comfort and guidance you need as you weave your pilgrim way through the inspired and holy songbook.

Whether you are seeking solace in times of trouble, longing for a deeper connection with God or simply craving a moment of stillness in your day, this devotional will nourish and strengthen you with the blessings of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May you, in the reading of this delightful book, come to see yourself as a child of God on your spiritual pilgrimage to God’s house, singing praises all the way!

These meditations were originally published in 1988 in booklet form by the Men’s Society of Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church (MI).

“These short meditations contain the riches of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and great encouragement for the saints in their pilgrim journey. Although short in length, Rev. Heys exhibits a gift of compressing profound truths of the sacred song book into each day’s meditation. The reader will also appreciate the continued references to the versification of the psalm of the day from the Psalter.” –a reader

John A. Heys (1910–1998) served in the ministry of the Protestant Reformed Churches from 1941–1980. In those years, he pastored congregations in Michigan, Iowa and Illinois. Heys was also a musician with a great love for singing and the Psalms, composing multiple tunes for The Psalter (1912). After retiring from active ministry in 1980, he penned a series of devotional pamphlets called Daily Devotions from the Psalms, which have been published in this book under the title Songs of Our Pilgrimage. Heys, who is remembered for his profound yet humble and gentle preaching and catechism instruction, deeply loved the Psalms. Each 1-page devotional in Songs evidences that love of the sacred songbook, and all its profound and timeless truths.

Meditations on the Epistles and the Book of Revelation.

The Rev. Gerrit Vos was many things: a gifted preacher-teacher, a compassionate and sympathetic pastor, an able leader in the protestant Reformed Churches. Of all his God-given gifts, one stood out. Rev. Vos was by the grace of God a humble man. He knew his sins and sinful nature; and his only comfort in life and in death was the he belonged to his faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In 1966, while I was pastor of the Doon, Iowa, church, Rev. Vos became emeritus. At that time I wrote him a letter expressing my appreciation to him for what he had done for me and for our churches. To that letter he responded with this advice: “My son, of all the things I counselled you remember this: be humble. there is a humility which is feigned. That is abominable in God’s sight. Be humble from the heart and God’s people will bear you up in their arms” That was, by God’s grace, Gerrit Vos, V. D. M.

These meditations reflect a pastor who loved God’s people, rejoiced with those who rejoiced, wept with those who wept, and who in this way humbly served his Lord. The reader will find in them rich instruction, profound insights, and much comfort from God’s Word. – Prof. Robert D. Decker

Chapter 1, chapter 2 and chapter 3 are in Italian.

Chapter Headings:
1. The Prince of Peace
2. The Sun of Righteousness
3. The Herald of Daybreak
4. Fulfillment of the Promise
5. That Ever Wonderful Story
6. The Firstborn
7. His Only Place
8. No Room For Him
9. Jesus
10. The Advent Sign
11. Christmas Joy
12. Great Joy
13. Tidings of Joy
14. Heavenly Praise
15. Bethlehem’s Hidden Revelation
16. Returning
17. Nunc Dimittis
18. The Contradicted Sign
19. Anna
20. The Christ-Child As Lord of All

First published in 1944, this new edition includes eight additional chapters chosen from meditations in the Standard Bearer.

These meditations are still current in their appeal. The same social issues of war and peace, wealth, honour and fame confront us yet today. Our sinfulness and the grace that comes to us through Bethlehem are ever-present in our lives.

In these devotional chapters, the reader will enjoy Herman Hoeksema’s flowing yet thorough style—a style that skilfully brings the reader closer to the mystery, the wonder of the events at Bethlehem.

“What child of God, saved by grace, does not turn with an ever new interest and spiritual delight to Bethlehem in ‘the fulness of time,’ to contemplate in humble adoration the mystery of salvation, revealed, yet hid, in the Child in the manger? With the confession that this Child of the virgin Mary is the Son of God come into the flesh the Christian faith stands or falls. Yet who shall ever fathom this wonder of all wonders, that the infinite, eternal glorious, and ever living God united Himself with finite and weak human nature, appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh, reached down into the depth of our death to lift us into the glorious heights of His everlasting covenant? Millions of sermons have been delivered on this theme, volumes have been filled with it, profound treatises have been written on it, and simple stories have been told about it; but the theme was never exhausted and always kindles anew the interest of the believer” (“Preface” to The Mystery of Bethlehem).

“Many thanks for The Mystery of Bethlehem. What a blessing it has been to enjoy these lovely insights.” – Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland

To read a chapter of this book in German, click here.
To read an excerpt of this book in Spanish, click here.

This second volume of meditations from the hand of Rev. Gerrit Vos, describing to us the sufferings and glory of our Lord, gives another evidence of his remarkable ability to make language live and make words speak to us.  We are carried along with him, so that we share his delights, his blessings and comforts that he draws from the Scriptures.  Those who knew him well recognized his unique character and the peculiar gifts God had entrusted to him.  It was often said, “There is but one Rev. Vos.”  He could be jolly, but also deeply serious.  He could rise to heights of enthusiasm and zeal, but he could also descend to depths of sorrow and pathos.  He could rejoice with those who rejoiced and weep with those who wept.  He lived a full and rich life in the ministry of the Word, thought much of his Christine and also of his children, but no less of the church and the cause of God’s kingdom.  Those of you who never knew him can still share with him in his meditations the riches of God’s grace as revealed to us through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“The Unspeakable Gift [that I ordered] was a present for somebody but could you send me another copy for myself? I just love the meditations of Vos.” – Lancashire, England

Third Edition

This Lenten anthology is a collection of six books, originally radio messages delivered during Lent, which explore the various aspects of Christ’s suffering and death. Each of the six sections—The Amazing Cross, The Royal Sufferer, The Power of the Cross, Rejected of Men, Jesus in the Midst, and Man of Sorrows—is devoted to a specific aspect of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through these inspirational messages, readers will be brought to a deeper knowledge of their own worthlessness and of the absolute necessity of Christ’s cross for their salvation. May every reader, as did the author, welcome the opportunity which the season of Lent affords to “survey the wondrous cross” and to seek refuge in the shadow of that cross.

“[This book is] among the very best that I have read on the general subject of our Lord’s suffering. [It has] the following commendable characteristics: 1. [It is] deeply devotional and practical. 2. [It] stress[es] the divine, not the human aspect; that is, we are made to see Jesus as our Lord who voluntarily laid down His life, and not as a mere martyr, however virtuous or courageous. 3. [It is] expository; that is, [it] seeks to delve into the meaning of the text. This is lacking in almost all Lenten volumes. 4. The style is very clear and very simple. The thought is generally rich and original. All in all, a fine piece of work! All of this does not mean that we endorse every statement in [this book]. The book, nevertheless, [is one] of the finest Lenten volumes we have seen. We have read [it] with delight.” – Wm. Hendriksen (The Banner)

Joel R. Beeke: “The best one-volume twentieth-century work [on Christ’s sufferings] is Herman Hoeksema, When I Survey …  A single, basic theme underlies each of six sections that were originally published as books of radio messages (1943-56)” (in Joel R. Beeke and Sinclair B. Ferguson [eds.], Reformed Confessions Harmonized [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999], p. 259).

“I have got Herman Hoeksema’s book When I Survey the wondrous cross, that is pure wonder to me.” – Lancashire, England

“Thank you for the book When I Survey. I cannot but be totally amazed at what I am reading, and above all seeing, in this book … Since starting to read this book, my spiritual warfare has become far more intense, which I take to be a good effect. Praise the Lord.” – England

Click here to read chapters of this book in Portuguese.