The Devotional Library: Five Recommendations

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” So said Francis Bacon, and it remains true: different books have different purposes. While some books impart knowledge, others provide help in our devotion. Read these five books slowly, as they will help you to develop your devotional life.

Note: Click the picture of the book to find it.

(1) The Psalms

Perhaps this is too obvious, but it is easy to overlook the Psalms – the greatest devotional book. The words of this sacred psalter are inspired, so you can’t go wrong with it. While you may be accustomed to reading the Psalms, approach them in a new light. Read the Psalms slowly, thoughtfully, and turn them into prayer. If your prayer life seems stagnant, read a verse from the Psalms, pray from the thoughts it gives you, and read another verse.

(2) Spurgeon’s Sermons on Prayer

This book is a favorite of mine. The book’s chief value is that it puts me in a prayerful mindset. By working through Biblical texts on prayer, Charles Spurgeon reminds believers of the importance of this work and stirs up their hearts to pray. I have personally learned much from this book about prayer, and I’m sure that you will likewise benefit from it!

(3) The Godly Man’s Picture

This puritan ‘portrait’ of a Christian is ‘drawn with a Scripture pencil.’ Thomas Watson works through the attributes of a godly person, and his reading is sure to help you meditate, search your heart, and pursue virtue. This book is best read slowly and devotionally. As Watson says, “Christian, aspire after piety; it is a lawful ambition. Look at the saints’ characteristics here, and never leave off until you have got them stamped upon your own soul.”

(4) Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible

This is another of those olden but golden books. Actually, while the commentary is occasionally printed in a single volume, it is more commonly divided into several. Matthew Henry worked through the Bible, and his comments are especially valuable for the Christian who takes time to read them slowly and meditatively. While written in an older style, the comments will challenge and build you up in your Christian faith. Henry died before completing the work, but it was considered so valuable that several other ministers worked together to complete the Commentary.

(5) Journibles

While the other books on this list are older titles, I’ve recently been using the Journibles and enjoying them! Journibles are blank Bible journals. Rather than giving you the text, you are expected to write the Bible passage on one side of the page, and your own notes on the other. This unique method of Bible study helps you to slow down, read the text thoughtfully, and fix the words in your mind as you write them. The idea comes from Deuteronomy, where the king is commanded to write for himself a copy of the law.