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

Prayer brings us into God’s sanctuary. True prayer has requirements and Jesus has given one model for all our prayers. Line by line, Hoeksema analyses, explains and applies the principles found in Jesus’ perfect model prayer. The reader is taught that prayer is given by the Spirit of God and that he must pray in a God-honouring way. The author stresses how prayer is thanksgiving to God, reflecting fellowship with our heavenly Father.

“I must know him, the only true God, in order to be able to pray at all. But I cannot know him out of myself, I cannot find him out … Only he can make known to me who he is, and what he is. Hence I must begin to let him speak to me before I can even begin to speak to him. This he does in his word, in the holy scriptures,” writes Rev. Hoeksema. As readers, we are compelled to exclaim, “Lord, so teach me always to pray in accordance with Thy will!”

“This book contains eleven expository sermons on the Lord’s Prayer, preached by Herman Hoeksema, the founding father of the Protestant Reformed Churches of America. These sermons were first preached as a series over the radio in the early 1940s and because of their popularity they were later published in book form. Let me quote a portion from the first petition in order to whet your spiritual appetite to want to read this book for yourselves. ‘Hallowed be thy name’ is concerned with the glory of God. Hoeksema writes, ‘We must not overlook this position: for it teaches us at once that the chief and only purpose of all things is the glory of God, and that the desire for the realisation of this purpose should be uppermost in our hearts and minds and should occupy, therefore, the first place in all our prayers’ (p. 37). Hoeksema also explains the spiritual disposition necessary in the heart of the believer in order to make these petitions, which makes these sermons also very devotional.” – Singapore

“When reading the treatment of the address, ‘Our Father which art in heaven,’ I could not believe how deep it is … absolutely amazing!” – Co. Antrim

“My daughter is loving the book. It has been an eye opener for both of us. She was saying that the way she feels about praying the Lord’s prayer is now completely different from before she read the book.” – Co. Antrim

REVIEW

IN THE SANCTUARY, Expository Sermons on the Lord’s Prayer, by Herman Hoeksema; Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1982; 116 pages (paperback). (Reviewed by Prof. H. Hanko).

Many of our readers will know that this book is a reprint of a book which first appeared in the Forties, but has long been out of print. It was published soon after Rev. Hoeksema delivered a series of radio sermons on this subject. The book is a published form of those radio messages. 

I wish that there was some way in which this book could be put in the home of every Christian family to be read and studied. I say this because the book speaks of prayer, and God’s people today are badly in need of instruction concerning prayer. Not only is this true because of the sorry corruptions of prayer which are so common in our day; nor is this true only because God’s people do not pray as much as they ought; but it is also true because prayer is a holy art, and God’s people themselves know how much they need to be instructed in it. This book is admirably suited to this purpose. 

The book has an introductory chapter on prayer and a chapter on the general principles of the Lord’s Prayer; these are followed by an exposition of the address, the six petitions, and the doxology with which the Lord’s prayer closes. It is an incisive exposition of each part in which the petition itself is explained and the spiritual disposition of the heart necessary to pray is set forth. Rev. Hoeksema, as all who knew him know, had the ability to make the profound clear, and the clear interesting and gripping. These things come through in this book. 

In expounding the Lord’s Prayer the author has the opportunity to discuss all the principles which underlie true prayer, to warn against evils in prayer, and to point out repeatedly the deepest truth that God is God. 

The book can be read as meditative readings, and this is indeed a thoroughly enjoyable way to read the book. But, more importantly, any child of God who takes seriously the petition, “Lord, teach us to pray. . .” must get this book. It will be an answer to his prayer.

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.

John Calvin wrote in his commentary on Galatians 5:22 about the fruit of the Spirit,

There have often appeared in unrenewed men remarkable instances of gentleness, integrity, temperance, and generosity; but it is certain that all were but specious disguises. Curius and Fabrieius were distinguished for courage, Cato for temperance, Scipio for kindness and generosity, Fabius for patience; but it was only in the sight of men, and as members of civil society, that they were so distinguished. In the sight of God nothing is pure but what proceeds from the fountain of all purity.

Richard Smit explains positively this wonderful fruit:

… the Spirit produces in his living branches this delightful, covenantal fruit. A heavenly and spiritual sweetness and goodness characterize and permeate the whole fruit. Yet, the Spirit shows us in Galatians 5:22-23 that this one fruit has many distinct sections, which in their own unique way are filled with the spiritually delicious sweetness and goodness of the Spirit … That is the fruit that is delightfully tasty to our Father in heaven and also to our fellow saints upon earth who see and taste this fruit and are consequently delighted by it (pp. 16, 17).

This beautiful paperback of 155 pages, suitable for young and old, discusses the nine aspects of this sweet fruit of the Spirit (found in Galatians 5:22-23) that proceed from that fountain, Christ, and which by His Spirit He works in His saints. The book encourages branches of believers and their seed unto a life of good fruit-bearing.

New author Richard J. Smit first wrote about the fruit of the Spirit in a series of articles that appeared in the Standard Bearer and now appear in book form in this new publication. Rev. Smit has served as a pastor in several churches in the Protestant Reformed Churches in Canada and America. He has also served as a missionary to the Philippines twice, ministering for over a decade to the saints there, to whom his book Fruit of the Spirit is dedicated.

The following review was written by Ava Langerak on the book The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ by Richard J. Smit (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2012). This review was originally published in the August 2023 issue of The Grandville Gleaner.

The author, Richard J. Smit, starts the book by laying out the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance. Next, he draws attention to the fact that the fruit is not simply produced by us but instead by the outstanding work of Christ, by the Spirit, in and through us. 

The author takes the time to explain each different fruit in its own chapter, explaining how that individual fruit is worked in us by Christ and how we can continue to exercise and enjoy that fruit in our walk of faith with Christ. The author also quotes from Scripture to provide the basis behind what each chapter teaches you.

He then ends each chapter with a list of questions to make you pause and reflect and in turn take time to make sure you understand the chapter. These 5-6 questions ending each chapter cause the reader to process what they just read about instead of just looking over the words. They test their understanding, with some questions being simple and others tat the reader must take time to think about.

The whole book is only 155 pages separated into 11 short chapters making it easy to read. The book is clear enough in its explanations that most readers can read it and understand what it is teaching. This book is great for personal use to learn of the wonderful fruit of the Spirit and all of their different aspects that can be seen in a Christian’s way of life.

“My son has been ploughing through the book first, and he’s trawling through it slowly. He’s finding the book very rewarding and challenging. So the book is very encouraging.” – Cornwall, England

“I have needed the challenge of The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” – Yorkshire, England

“I can’t thank you enough for The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ book. What a privilege it is to be blessed every time I read from it.” – England

11 sermons on Isaiah 63:7-64:12 on CD or DVD

The church today dwells in the midst of the Babylon of this world (a dominant,
ungodly and hostile culture), as did the Israel addressed by the evangelical
prophet in Isaiah 63:7-64:12. Both then and now, the church is, from an
outward perspective, small and weak. These 11 sermons from Isaiah are
designed to comfort the people of God as we pray to our Father for divine help.

(1) Mentioning Jehovah’s Lovingkindness (Isa. 63:7-8)
(2) Jehovah Afflicted With His People (Isa. 63:9)
(3) Vexing God’s Holy Spirit (Isa. 63:10)
(4) God’s Remembering the Days of Old (Isa. 63:11-14)
(5) The Desolate Church Appeals to Father (Isa. 63:15-16)
(6) Jehovah’s Hardening His Church’s Heart (Isa. 63:17-19)
(7) Rend the Heavens and Come Down! (Isa. 64:1-3)
(8) The God Who Acts for Those Who Wait for Him (Isa. 64:4)
(9) The Church’s Moving Confession (Isa. 64:5-6)
(10) The Prayerless Church Appeals to Father (Isa. 64:7-8)
(11) Spreading Out Our Miseries Before the Lord (Isa. 64:9-12)

How many Christians can confidently say that they have “mastered” the art of prayer?

Probably no one.

What is blessedly refreshing about Professor Hanko’s work, When You Pray, is his admission that none of us is good at prayer—including himself—yet over the years of one’s life, the author assures us, a person can make progress in praying.

Professor Hanko shares with his readers homely yet highly meaningful lessons he learned from growing up in a covenant family and covenantal church community. He also tells the specific benefits of praying to the sovereign God of the universe, who knows our sins and weaknesses but love us still. Valuable is the professor’s clear explanation of how God can be likened to the father of an earthly family, loving and caring for his own dear children.

An eye-opening and very helpful part of his book is the author’s pinpointing of misconceptions people have about God and prayer that bar them from praying in a God-honouring way.

Prayer that does not clash with Scripture is of prime importance for the author, whose sensitivity to scriptural truths has been honed in more than thirty years of study and teaching as professor of New Testament and church history in the Theological School of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America. Professor Hanko is a down-to-earth writer, one who very much feels with his readers the struggle that it sometimes is to take the time to engage in heartfelt, sincere prayer. His apt illustrations from everyday life make the underlying theology of prayer vividly understandable.

If you have found your devotional life to be frequently barren, reading what the author has learned the hard way—over fifty years in the ministry—will not discourage you further, but will give you a renewed desire to fellowship with your Father in prayer.

“This book helped me more than anything else I have heard or read on prayer.” – S. Wales

“I have a copy. Recommended reading.” – Philippines

“I’ve been benefitting from reading Prof. Hanko’s book on prayer at the minute [i.e., during the days of restrictions due to COVID-19].” – Co. Antrim

“Thank you so much for continuing to send me your C. R. News and the other supporting leaflets … I have just received my copy of When You Pray by Prof. Hanko—being a member of the Book Club—and have only just peered inside for a foretaste! The standard of the book’s format and binding is excellent (I do much prefer ‘hard cover’ productions!) and I am sure that its contents will be even greater. Please arrange to forward me a set of the tapes ‘Covenant with Adam’…” – South Wales

Click here to read a review of this book published in the Beacon Lights.

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.