“Such A Heart”
by Dan Richardson
“Oh that there were such a 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).
Moses had reminded Israel of their initial attitude to be faithful when they were given God’s law at Mount Sinai (verses 15-27). Though they started well, their subsequent actions revealed they had wicked hearts. In this one verse, we see what God requires of His people, and how faithful service is propagated to future generations.
The “heart” spoken of isn’t man’s physical blood pump, but describes the core of his very being – the inward man comprised of will, intellect, and emotion. One’s heart therefore, defines who he is: “For as he thinketh within himself, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Consider verse 29 closely, that we may understand what “such a heart” as pleases Him will accomplish in our lives.
Reverence – “They Would Fear Me.” “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us” (A.W. Tozer). Reverent hearts are born out of a spirit of humility because of one’s own weakness and sin: “The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor goeth humility” (Proverbs 15:33). Therefore, such a heart will acknowledge God’s majesty and power, offering service “with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). It will be receptive to divine guidance; “the foolish despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). It will, as a result, depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6).
Obedience – “Keep All My Commandments.” God has always placed a great premium on man’s obedience. Those who are saved by Jesus’ blood, to whom He becomes the “Author of eternal salvation,” are those who “obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). Likewise, the apostle Peter affirms God’s pleasure and blessings are upon the “children of obedience” (I Peter 1:14) – “ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth” (verse 22). Paul gave thanks for Roman Christians who were “obedient from the heart to that form of doctrine whereunto ye were delivered” (Romans 6:17). Such a heart that obeys receives God’s blessings. To the contrary, God’s eternal vengeance will be toward “those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 1:8). Paul made no distinction between those identified as “children of wrath” (God’s) with they who are “sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 4:2-3). They are the same.
Steadfastness – “Always.” Such a heart to please God knows that more is involved than just a good start in the Christian race – we must “run with patience … looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). This necessitates heeding the admonition to “not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Such a heart will be diligent to taking advantage of every opportunity to do good (verse 10), always praying (Luke 18:1), “handling aright the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15), and in every divinely ascribed way exercising oneself unto godliness (II Timothy 4:7-8). Such devotion in the midst of trials will serve to prove the genuineness of our faith and render greater spiritual strength in the days ahead (James 1:2-4; I Peter 1:5-7). One is never justified in casting away his boldness in faithful duty, even if it requires his life (Hebrews 10:35-39; Revelation 2:10).
Teaching – “That It Might Be Well … With Their Children For Ever.” Such a heart will feel obligation in service toward others; pure and undefiled religion demands it (James 1:27). While this service may involve temporal assistance, its greatest obligation will be spiritual in nature. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), and sin separates from God (Romans 6:23; Isaiah 59:1-2). With that understanding, one’s greatest obligation to mankind will be to teach them of Christ and His way so they might be saved (Romans 1:16). Our scope of service will involve ALL we have opportunity to help (Galatians 6:10), but one has no greater duty than toward his family. Contrary to popular belief, the greatest thing I can leave my children is not my money, but to teach them to have faith in God! Ancient Israel was instructed to faithfully teach their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), so are New Testament Christians (Ephesians 6:4; II Timothy 1:5; 3:14). However, such will not be accomplished by those who have not first given their hearts to God (see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; I Peter 3:15) – that is not something you can fake. Like Joshua, our rally cry will be, “as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah” (Joshua 24:14). The spirituality of your children, grandchildren, etc., may very well depend on whether YOU had “such a heart” to serve God and teach them to do so.