Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV)
I'm reading an Advent devotional book by Ann VosKamp called, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas. In this morning's reading, Ann likens the Ten Commandments to wedding vows. Very appropriate if you think about it. God has wooed us throughout time and the Church is the Bride of Christ.
Traditional wedding vows ask the couple to be true to one another in sickness, in health; whether rich or poor, forsaking all others. And because we love our soon-to-be spouse, we have no problem promising these things with all our hearts. God's Commandments are also meant to be kept by our hearts. These are not 10 Super Challenges that we should have to force ourselves to be victorious over. They are fairly simple guidlines for living for anyone who loves God and loves who and what God loves. The verse above points out that God simply wants our hearts... and for our own good!
If any husband or wife broke their wedding vows as often as we break the Commandments, there would surely be a divorce! But Jesus came to bring it all together... to bring our heart into the vows and make them easier to keep and to cover our slip-ups and bring us over-and-over-again forgiveness.
Live today with your heart close to God. It will make keeping your vows to him nearly effortless.
Father,
When we fail to keep your commands it is because our heart is elsewhere. Help us to keep our heart close to you so that we may easily follow your word. Amen.
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