God was challenging the people and the priests of that day. In essence, He was asking, “Are you really serving Me or are you just going through the motions?”  There are lots of religious things we do: tithing our money, attending church, caring for the poor, praying for the sick, celebrating holy days. Therefore, the same question hangs in the air for us.

Are we doing these things for God or just to make ourselves feel better? Are our activities merely religious duty or have our hearts been changed? Are we just going through the motions? Let us search our hearts and ask God’s Holy Spirit to reveal our attitudes and motivations. Then we can humbly seek His will and His way.

When we are truly seeking God, instead of simply participating in activities that look good, He will enable us to love unconditionally, to forgive those who have hurt us, to be unselfish and show compassion.

As Zechariah continues, â€œThis is what the LORD Almighty says: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” (Zechariah 7:9, 10)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23, 24)