If Only…

“If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever!” Deuteronomy 5:29

Moses repeated the Ten Commandments to the Israelites before they entered Canaan and also reminded them that the Lord made a covenant not only their fathers, but with them as well. The Lord greatly desired faithful hearts and loyalty that was driven by their love, devotion, and adoration towards Him. The Lord consistently fulfilled His promises and proved His faithfulness to the Israelites even though at times it wasn’t reciprocated.
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The children of Israel needed only to have hearts that would love, respect, and revere the Lord. If their hearts were turned to the Lord, they would have followed the Lord, obeyed Him, and kept His commandments. We read of the Lord’s desire for a relationship with them so that they and their children would experience His blessings. Yet, with the constant forewarnings coupled with the reminders of Israel’s past sins, it was apparent that Israel would, even in the Promised Land, turn their hearts away from the Lord to follow their own way.

​Our heavenly Father greatly desires devoted hearts that love, respect, and revere Him. Our love for Him is shown in our faithfulness, devotion, and obedience to Him. When we truly have a relationship with the Father, we pursue Him, we listen and obey Him, we follow after Him, and we then experience the blessings of obedience. Pray and ask the Father to give you a heart that would fear Him, so that you love Him and faithfully follow Him. He desires your undivided devotion. He is always faithful to you and He desires your loving faithfulness to Him.