Daily PresenceSample

In Chapter 5 of Deuteronomy, Moses recaps the Ten Commandments and how the people asked him to give them GOD’S words so that they would hear and do them. Moses then tells them that the LORD was happy and said, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always (v. 29).”

I struggle seeing people in the Bible fail in their relationship with GOD. Solomon, David, and all the kings I can’t pronounce—they all had direct dealings with the LORD. Yet along the way they fall into the same pattern as the people of Israel themselves did. They follow for a while and then drift off. They choose a different path even though they saw the Red Sea part, deliverance from captivity, and huge victorious battles. Some of them heard directly in a voice from the LORD…. yet this verse haunts them…. “Oh that they had such a heart as this always.” In my anger, I can say “why can’t I hear the voice directly?” In my arrogance I can say— “if I saw any of those things I would never turn away or follow some stupid idol.”

Really? Don’t I have Red Sea moments? When have I heard from the LORD? What are the victories and battles that I have seen? Yet, why do I still go my own way on things? “Oh, that I (they) had such a heart as this always.” It’s in these moments that my arrogance dries up, replaced with fear. I am no different than these same people. I have seen my Red Sea part, and I have worshiped my own golden calf (bank account, sinful relationship, etc).

The truth is simple for any relationship. When both hearts are right, things work. If either of us are not right, then we have a problem. With GOD the great thing is that HIS heart is always right. The people who made the golden calf, the kings that spoke to GOD and then allowed altars to other gods to be raised up, and the people who continually followed GOD then decided not to follow GOD were the people that GOD brought a savior through. Remember this: HE knew what we would do when our heart was right and when it was wrong. JESUS was promised and still came because GOD’s heart is constant and true. HE pursued us then and pursues us now!