PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Zechariah 7-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
The people of Bethel are asking about their religious duty to fast.
Zechariah asks them if their fasting really meant anything (7:5).
Were they really sorry for sin, or were they just doing their religious duty?
The key is if they actually hated sin, and loved justice, mercy and compassion (7:9-10).
The pharisees in Jesus’s day were also very faithful in their religious duty.
“You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23)
They were following the rules, but disobeying God’s will, what really mattered.
God’s will has always been justice, mercy and humble faithfulness (Micah 6:8).
Is the church today pursuing or neglecting what is most important?
Are we in step with Jesus in seeking what matters most to God?
God through Jesus is restoring a community of justice, mercy and compassion.
People from all languages are joining Jesus, because they sense God is with him (8:23).
That is, they sense love, truth, peace, justice, mercy, compassion in him.
But is this what Jesus followers are known for – or just empty fasting and tithing?
PRAYER
Lord, we dutifully go to church, protest sin, sing songs and put in our envelopes, but is it really for you? Soften our hearts to know and do your will, to actually do what matters.
Love truth and justice – walk with the Lord – in time there will be others who will want to go with us: “‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” Walking in the footsteps of Jesus – the Jesus way – when we do they will see how we are blessed with peace because God is our security – a present help in trouble. In times of crisis – it is the Jesus follower who can bring hope – like Paul on a heaving ship that will break up – giving reassuring words in the face of near death. Lord help me to be a faithful vessel to bring peace and hope to others – may they too have the desire to become connected with you! That they may find that peace and harmony!
Once again we are told how to live. Do not harden the heart. Have open ears to listen and serve the Lord your God. Seek Him. Be an instrument of His peace and so influence others also to come to serve Him. May I continue to do His will as we pray in the Lord’s prayer, ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ To do this I need open ears, open eyes and a heart serving my Lord, to do what He created me to do. Serve Him.
1
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
2
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
3
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.