John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 4:29

"But from thence ye shall seek Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt find him, when thou searchest after him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." — Deuteronomy 4:29 (ASV)

But if from there you shall seek the Lord. In this passage, he also exhorts and encourages them with the confidence of obtaining pardon, and thus prepares them, so that they might not be overwhelmed with sorrow when struck by God’s hand; for despair awakens such rage in the wretched that they cannot submit themselves to God. He then sets before them another purpose in their punishments: that they may not cease to taste God’s goodness in the midst of their afflictions, by which He invites them to repentance. For the sinner will never begin to seek God unless he believes Him to be accessible to prayer.

Moreover, he warns them to return truly and sincerely to a sound mind, because they will gain nothing by a false profession. We know that nothing is more common than to complain to God whenever we are oppressed by troubles, but then, when they are briefly eased, to immediately return to our natural state.

Sincere conversion is, therefore, prescribed. For “all the heart” is precisely equivalent to an upright heart (integrum), which is contrasted with a double or feigned one. This must be noted,²⁶⁰ so that a sense of our weakness does not disturb us. For since it is not possible for people to give themselves wholly to God, the knowledge of their own inability is apt to induce listlessness. However, provided we do not act deceitfully, it is declared that our penitence is approved by God.

²⁶⁰ Addition in Fr., “car s’il avoit une pleine perfection requise;” for if entire perfection were here required.., “car s’il avoit une pleine perfection requise;” for if entire perfection were here required.