Do we respond to God's zeal by being zealous for Him?

Zechariah 7 starts with the people questioning if God wanted them to continue fasting, as they had done for many years in captivity. In response, God questions their intentions — “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? ” (Zech 7:5) God, who knows the hearts of men perfectly, knew that their fast wasn’t out of repentance, but rather because they were in a period of mourning for their plight. Instead, God wanted their obedience to the many warnings He sent through the prophets (Zech 7:7), revealing God’s desire for obedience and sincere repentance over empty actions. Similarly, Isaiah 58 tells us more about fasting that is accepted by God, with the emphasis on the intention and accompanying actions when one fasts. “…Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:3-4, ESV) The Israelites’ fast was rejected by God as they continued in their wicked ways, instead of fasting accompanied by righteousness and compassion (Isaiah 58:6-8). Fasting expresses our devotion to God when done with the right heart . Today, we often have church-wide fasts before Spiritual Meetings and large-scale Evangelistic Services where we pray for God’s guidance and for His Spirit to work mightily around us. When we take part in these fasts, let us also consider if we are doing so with the right heart. Reflecting on our intentions also applies to other things beyond fasting, like prayer, Bible-reading, reaching out to brethren, or even just coming to church. Just as Jesus says in Matthew 6, let us not do these things with the same heart as the hypocrites who receive their desired recognition and glory from men, but not God’s reward. Instead, when we do these things to the Father who is in the secret place, and truly humble ourselves before Him with a sincere and obedient heart towards His words, our Father who sees in secret will reward us openly. It is easy to get accustomed to doing things out of habit, including things related to our faith. Therefore it is all the more important for us to constantly reflect on our purpose, and ensure that God is truly at the centre of all that we do. May our hearts always be well-pleasing to God so that our actions that follow are also accepted by Him. (Extra!) Read this Manna article to find out more about the purpose and right attitude towards fasting: What You Need To Know About Fasting (Manna 5) https://ia.tjc.org/elibrary/ContentDetail.aspx?ItemID=12690&langid=1

… despite our history.

Do you see it? Thin mist covers the sky as dawn breaks through, Roaring waves surge, sweeping away the earth’s greyness, Clanking steel chariots of raging fire, Silently approaches the distance with great might. Do you see it? The fire first turns left — Standing tall, the dreamlike glorious city of Sodom. Carefully crafted marble slabs, dazzling gold-lined curtains. In an instant, the Scroll of Judgement with red flames in the sky, consumes every mute and decadent luxury, Scattering vast ashes of justice. Do you see it? The fire then turns right— Merchants gather like clouds under Babylon. The immoral woman, whose body is covered with blasphemous names. Evil overflows the vessel like an erupting volcano, pouring down on the sky-high Tower of Babel. In an instant, the ground reflects a crimson flame. The Tower of Babel is but a piece of wood, Crackling in the flames, Every inch of fiber screams in agony. Do you see it? The fire then approaches you. Holding on to gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw, How are you planning to build? Where is your blueprint? Will your foundation be secure? In an instant, When the raging fire’s final trumpets echo throughout the heavens, Are you Reduced to ashes? Or are you Reborn through the flames? If you see this What will you do?

When faced with seemingly impossible tasks, God's Spirit empowers us to overcome our weaknesses and accomplish His work.

Jesus removing our iniquities has long been prophesied. Do we still take it seriously today?

Because we are His, and His to be protected.

Throughout history, God's call to repentance echoes still. How will you respond?