Was It for Me?

In Zechariah chapter seven, some men of God came to the prophet to ask if a tradition ought to be kept. What was this tradition? For seventy years, they had fasted and mourned the destruction of Solomon's temple twice a year.

God's reply still has an important message for us today.

When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Zech. 7:5-6 KJV

God is essentially saying, "You didn't do that for Me. The fasting was not a time of humble reflection on your sins. You didn't repent. Or mourn how you walked away from your God. You just mourned a big, beautiful, empty building."

I think it's especially important to note that God said it twice. "Did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?"

When God says something twice, we had better sit up and take notice.

Then, God follows this by attacking their attitude towards feasting as well. They hadn't even asked about feasting!

"And when you feasted? That was just a bit of fun. It was not a type of worship (as God intended) and praise for my blessings. It was one big social function."

This made me stop and wonder. Is church just one big empty tradition to me? Do I sing songs of praise for the enjoyment of singing or because we always sing at the start of a service? Or are they actual songs of praise like they are supposed to be?

My church is a little more into feasting rather than fasting, but no matter how you worship God, it's important to remember all should be done for Him.

We quote the New Testament often with this concept. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31

Zechariah however reminded me to apply the concept to church.

Do I do church for me or for Him, even for Him?