Zechariah 7:5-6 …was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?

Why do you do the things you do? What is your motivation? Is it your need? Is it your goals? Is it your habits? Why do you get out of bed? Why do you eat and drink? Why do you fast?

He’s not after your religious acts. He’s after your heart.

What’s your true heart motivation? Is it to judge rightly, show kindness and mercy, to keep from evil, to lift up the foreigner, the poor, the widow and fatherless? That’s from the list given us by the Lord in verses 9 and 10. That’s what He wants.

Those whose hearts are His are “those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name.” Many antichrists have already come (1 John 2:18). We need to live as conquerors every day. Seek oneness with Christ. Abide in Him and He in you. Abide in His love and let His word abide in you. You’ll find the compassionate love of God that compels you.