They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!

Deuteronomy 5:28-29

After the giving of the law, Moses acknowledges to the people of Israel: “They are right in all they have spoken”. In other words, they had a great initial response.

They heard God’s voice, God’s commandments, and they said all the right things. They kneeled before him in fear and in brokenness, with willingness to obey God in everything. But Moses recognized something about them that I believe we really struggle with as well.

He says to them: “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments…”

The prayer and desire of Moses is that the spirit that governed them in the initial reaction would be the same as they tried to live it out. How often is there a difference between our initial repentance and when the situation comes again where often forget the vows that we made to the Lord.

This I pray for me: That I would have a heart of obedience always. That I wouldn’t just be good at tearing my heart open when I hear God’s word, but that there would be a persevering fear of the Lord which governs my obedience in every little thing I do.