Corona Devo 126

Caution!  Today's scripture sort-of calls us on the carpet for behaviors we have been telling ourselves are "Godly", or "religious", or "righteous".  

What is the root reason for our "Christian" behavior?  I believe the Lord is us to more closely examine our motives in serving Him.

How much of our faith is just routine?  Or for show?  Have we been conditioned-over-time to "know the drill" (if you will) of church attendance, tithing, serving, "living like a Christian" and even prayer?

The first time I read through today's scripture verses, I was impressed.  I saw the Israelites as being pious.  Religious.  Faithful.  That may have been true.  And sometimes these things may be the impetus of our actions also.

But as I stepped back from the verses, a different interpretation washed over me.  And it wasn't a wash that made me feel clean.  On the contrary, I felt dirty and blemished before the Lord.  The Israelites were not behaving out of Godly obedience or a willingness (and willing hearts) to honor God with what they were doing (mourning, fasting, having festivals).  They were partaking in these things because it was what they have done for so many years" (Zechariah 7:3). They were not "connecting with God" through any of it.  They were "checking off" items on their spiritual to-do list, and basically doing what they had grown up doing, or had gotten used to doing.  How often are we doing the same thing?  Think about when we read the Bible, attend worship, pray.  Are we partaking in these things because it is what we have done for so many years" (Zechariah 7:3). 

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2 The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech, along with their attendants, to seek the Lord’s favor. 3 They were to ask this question of the prophets and the priests at the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “Should we continue to mourn and fast each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction, as we have done for so many years?”

4 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me this message in reply: 5 “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? 6 And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves? ~Zechariah 7:2-6

I feel like we get a clue about where the intentions of the Israelites lie, right from the start of these verses, when they begin by sending some people to seek the Lord’s favor (Zechariah 7:2).  I am not judging them, because we do it too, don't we?  We try and do things to "seek the Lord's favor".  If we complete these (XYZ) tasks, we should be in his good graces...  Or, ever made a bargain with God?  If He will just grant us this or allow that person to get better, then we will XYZ.  

But God sees through us.  Through our hollow attempts to "look good" to Him, or to anyone else.  

He cuts right to the chase and asks us, "was it really for me that you were fasting? 6 And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?" (Zechariah 7:5-6)

Wow, that cuts deep.  Why are we doing so many of the things that we do?  For the Lord, or for ourselves (our image, our role, our Christian charade)?  We must search our hearts and if we are not living and giving for Christ alone, then we are not fooling God.  And we win the game of life when we realize that no one else's opinion matters but Him.  When we truly wake up to God as our catalyst, we can stop worrying about false facades.  It will shift our motivation from us to Him and this will change our attitudes and our lives.

Today can be different.  We can be different.  If the Lord asks "was it really for me?" let's live today out with a resounding "Yes!" 

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/



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