Theological Commentary: Click Here
As difficult
as the visions in Zechariah are to piece together, Zechariah 7 seems blessedly
simple. A request is made of the Lord as
to whether or not they should continue to fast as was their tradition during
the exile.
The response
from the Lord is classic. God asks the
people if they fasted for His benefit or for theirs. This is a beautiful point! It is absolutely worth
heeding and contemplating.
When we fast,
what is the point? Are we trying to
prove ourselves worthy to God? If that’s
the case, can we even accomplish that task?
Can any amount of fasting and praying make my character righteous?
When we
fast, are we trying to win points with God so that He will be convinced to see
things our way? If that’s our reason, it
sure makes fasting and prayer sound like manipulation to me! Should I really think that my actions will
coerce God to allow me to have my way?
The reality is
that when I fast and pray, I should fast and pray so that my heart is
changed. It is my heart that needs to be
cleansed. It is my mind that needs focusing
upon God’s way.
God doesn’t
need me to prove myself to Him. He
already knows I cannot; that is why He sent Jesus! He doesn’t need me to prove my righteousness
because He has taken care of it. What He
needs me to do is recognize that I am the one who needs to work on my heart and
mind. He needs me to do what is necessary
to embrace and live out the righteousness that He gives to me. He needs me to focus more on showing His love
and mercy to the people around me than to focus on trying to prove myself to
Him.
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