O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!" Deuteronomy 5:29

This Old Testament text lets me know that God KNEW the Nation of Israel would not keep his laws just as he KNEW we wouldn’t either. So from the very beginning he KNEW he would have to provide the “sacrificial lamb” (Genesis 22:8) to pay the penalty for the sin that was passed to us through Adam (Genesis 5:3).

I think of the picture in Ephesians 5:22-32 of the church’s relationship with Christ (individually and collectively) shown in the marriage relationship between a MAN and a WOMAN. How the woman is to “submit” to her husband (individually, this applies to all men and women believers because Christ is our “husband”)(v22). And, how the man is instructed, not only to love your wives, but to do it in the way Christ also loved the church (v25) – again, a picture of the SACRIFICE of Christ.

The lyrics: what can wash away my sins? nothing but the blood of Jesus – come to mind as our “husbands” sanctify and cleanse us by the word (v26). And in reading this, you can’t help but feel a tinge of sorrow (and guilt, if we are honest with ourselves) when you read “O that there were such an heart in them…’ (Deut. 5:29) – God’s thoughts toward his children (the spiritual brides).

A healthy “fear” of God and a heart that desires to “keep all my (God’s) commandments always” (Deut. 5:29) isn’t an unreasonable or grievous request to come from a Holy God or a godly/just “husband/husbandman.”

As I think on the last part of Deuteronomy 5:29 (that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever) and couple it with Ephesians 5:27 (That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.), I am unafraid to look within, examine myself, and recognize the sufferings in my life and that of my children and their children, is in direct relationship to periods in my life where I didn’t exercise a healthy fear of God nor keep his commandments.

A continual Pursuit (52 Weeks-Mark Trotter) of God and of his Word is the only way to ensure my heart will be continually cleansed and sanctified. When I stand before the most high God at the Judgment Seat of Christ, I want to have “crowns” to cast at his feet, rewards to collect, and hear those blessed words: “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21, 23)

Oh, how I want my heart for God to mirror his heart for me!