“Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev, when the people sent Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men, to the house of God, to pray before the LORD, and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, ‘Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?’” (Zechariah 7:1-3)
Since the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple 70 years before, the people had a time of weeping and fasting for the judgment they had experienced. Now, God in His grace, had returned them to the land. The pressure was off and they wanted to focus their attention elsewhere.
How often we have been guilty of the same! Difficulties drove us to God, but when they eased, our hearts turned from God. Remember that sunny September 11, 2001, when the skies turned black from the smoke of jet fuel and ash as the twin towers were brought down by terrorists? Remember that first weekend as churches were filled? How quickly we have forgotten!
Think about the implications of their questions: they were going through the motions of worship but were bored with it all. It is like a mother waking a kid on Sunday morning and telling them it’s time to get ready for church. “Aw, Mom, do I have to?”
Has the fire gone out of your relationship with God? If it has, should you weep and fast—seeking the Lord—and the rekindling of that flame you once had? Yes—and urgently!
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