How can we apply the lesson from Zechariah 7:6 in our daily lives? Setting the Scene Zechariah 7 recounts how a delegation asked whether they should keep fasting over Jerusalem’s past destruction. The Lord’s answer exposed a deeper issue: their rituals had become self-centered. Zechariah 7:6 says, “And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves?” The Heart of the Verse • God is not impressed by outward acts that revolve around us. • He desires worship that springs from love, obedience, and genuine concern for others. • Motive matters as much as, if not more than, the action itself (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). Why Motives Matter to God • He created us for His glory, not our own (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31). • Self-focused “worship” steals the honor due Him (Malachi 1:6). • True devotion transforms the heart and overflows in justice and mercy (Zechariah 7:9-10; Micah 6:8). Practical Takeaways for Today 1. Examine your spiritual habits. – Ask: Am I reading Scripture, praying, or attending church mainly to check a box or impress others (Matthew 6:1-6)? 2. Redirect everyday activities. – Meals, recreation, and work can honor God when received with gratitude and used to serve others (Colossians 3:17). 3. Serve with compassion. – Look for ways to defend the vulnerable, share resources, and practice hospitality (James 1:27). 4. Guard against performative faith. – Avoid broadcasting generosity or fasting for attention (Matthew 6:16-18). 5. Keep Christ at the center. – Every task becomes worship when done “for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23). Heart-Check List • Would I still do this if no one noticed? • Is love for God or love for self driving me? • Does it reflect God’s character of mercy and justice? • Will it draw attention to Christ or to me? Companion Scriptures • Isaiah 58:3-7—fasting that pleases God focuses on liberating and caring for others. • Romans 12:1—offer your bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” • 1 Corinthians 10:31—“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Living It Out This Week • Invite someone lonely to share a meal, thanking God together. • When posting online, highlight God’s goodness, not your own accomplishments. • Turn routine tasks—commuting, cleaning, exercising—into moments of praise by praying or listening to Scripture. • Allocate time or money you would normally spend on yourself to meet a tangible need in your community. Zechariah 7:6 reminds us that God sees past the plate and the ritual to the motive. By aligning our hearts with His, every ordinary action can become extraordinary worship. |
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