A Faithful Guide to Peace with God is identified on the title page as, “Being the excerpts of the writings of C. O. Rosenius arranged as daily meditations to cover a period of two months with the assistance of N. J. Laache reproduced by George Taylor Rygh.” 

Rosenius was one among several leaders of the spiritual awakenings in Scandinavia during the nineteenth century. His excerpted writings in this book present a powerful focus on the central, double theme of Scripture—sin and grace. The reader will experience afresh the depths of sin as well as the new sense of freedom that comes from a full understanding of justification by pure grace alone.

Topics almost always revolve around the proper division of Law and Gospel and over the two month period of assigned readings include subjects such as “The Law and its Purpose,” “The Law, Conversion and the Righteousness That Avails Before God,” “The Gospel for the Ungodly,” “He is Faithful and Just to Forgive Us Our Sins,” “The Assurance of the Remission of Our Sins” (and other such subjects too numerous to mention here). 

The title of this devotional book is certainly appropriate in that carefully reading and focusing on the message of Rosenius’ writings leads the reader on a true course to finding peace with God through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus.

For some, I’m sure the daily readings may seem to be a bit too lengthy (being compared to the average devotionals published today). The language of Rosenius may also seem to be a bit archaic for the younger reader as is the case with many things written more than a century ago. However, for those willing to take the time and make the effort, the book holds great value for the spiritual life of any believer and great potential to bring the needed faith to an unconverted soul who may read its pages.

Rosenius’ works and other works of his contemporaries have a lot to offer us today as the market is flooded with many Christian writings that take the focus off of our God and place it on the individual believer, offering moral guidance but very little if any transforming power through a proper presentation of God’s Word and its timeless message. I first read this book as assigned reading for seminary more than 30 years ago and was glad to pick it up and read it again!