“WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVATION?”
(Zechariah 7:1 – 8:23)
“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned… was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?’” – Zechariah 7:5-6
The people of Israel came to the prophet Zechariah to ask him to ask God if they should continue an action they had been doing for many years. God responded to their question with a question of His own, essentially asking them what the motivation was for their actions. Were they doing it for their own benefit, or was it to please and obey the Lord.
I believe that the Lord would propose the same question to us for many of our own actions! Why do you go to church? Why do you pray? Why do you give in the offering? Why do you serve in that position?
Why do you do what you do? Is it to benefit yourself? Is it because it makes you feel good? Is it because of cultural customs?
Or, do you do what you do to honor and please the Lord? Our priorities and our motivational reasoning is very important!
Simple Truth:
Even the best of actions is only appropriate when done for the right reason – to please the Lord.
Reflections & Application:
- The best indicator of future performance is past behavior. We are creatures of habit. But, let’s examine our actions and ask ourselves why we have done what we have done.
- WWJD is still an important thing to consider. What would Jesus do? “Everyone ought to examine themselves…” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
- Live to please God! “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me today to do what pleases You. Help me to make my motivations pure and holy, not selfish. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
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