Transforming Tradition: From Ritual to Relationship with God

Devotional

Day 1: Examine Your Motives—Is It for God or for Yourself?

God calls His people to look beyond outward actions and traditions, urging them to examine the true motives of their hearts. It is easy to fall into routines—whether in worship, service, or daily living—where actions are performed out of habit, obligation, or for the approval of others. But God desires that everything be done for Him, not for self-glorification or to impress people. When you get dressed for church, serve in a ministry, or even go about your daily work, ask yourself: Who gets the glory? Would you still do it if no one noticed? God is not impressed by empty tradition; He seeks hearts that are fully surrendered and motivated by love for Him. [25:51]

Zechariah 7:4-6 (ESV)
Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?’”

Reflection: Think about one routine or tradition you follow this week—are you doing it for God, or for yourself? What would it look like to shift your motive to please God alone?

Day 2: Relationship with God Must Transcend Tradition

Traditions can be meaningful, but they are never a substitute for a living, vibrant relationship with God. When tradition becomes the focus, it can anchor you to the past and keep you from experiencing the new things God wants to do in your life. God wants your heart, not just your habits. Participating in religious events without an inner spiritual experience leaves you empty and disconnected. Let your relationship with God be the rudder that guides you, not the anchor that holds you back. Only Jesus is meant to anchor your soul; everything else should help you move forward in faith. [31:29]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Reflection: Is there a tradition or habit in your life that has become more important than your relationship with God? How can you let Jesus be your anchor instead?

Day 3: True Worship Is Shown in Justice, Mercy, and Compassion

God’s heart is revealed not just in worship services or religious observances, but in how we treat others—especially the vulnerable and marginalized. He commands His people to execute true justice, show mercy, and not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor. If your heart is right with God, it will be evident in your actions toward others. God’s people are called to confront injustice, speak out against oppression, and serve with compassion, both within the church and in the world. [41:00]

Zechariah 7:9-10 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

Reflection: Who in your community or circle needs to experience God’s justice and mercy through you today? What is one concrete way you can show compassion or stand up for someone in need?

Day 4: Repentance and Reflection Open the Door to God’s Grace

Regular reflection and repentance are essential for spiritual growth. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of faith; God invites you to honestly examine your life, confess your shortcomings, and receive His grace. Repentance is not about guilt, but about recognizing where you have fallen short and turning back to God, who is always ready to forgive. When you reflect on the past year, thank God for the grace that covered your mistakes and trust that He is faithful to forgive and restore you. [17:04]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Take a few moments to reflect on the past year. What is one area where you need to repent and receive God’s grace today?

Day 5: God Transforms Our Seasons of Mourning into Seasons of Joy

God is able to take traditions born out of trauma and sorrow and transform them into celebrations of joy and victory. The fasts that once marked seasons of grief for God’s people became feasts of gladness when their hearts were renewed. In the same way, God can turn your seasons of lack, pain, or mourning into times of abundance, healing, and celebration. Trust that your present struggles are temporary, and that God is working to bring you into a new season of joy. Celebrate what God is doing now, knowing that victory is already yours in Christ. [43:24]

Zechariah 8:19 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been mourning or struggling? How can you begin to celebrate and thank God in faith for the joy and victory He is bringing?

Sermon Summary

God is always at work, even when the world feels chaotic and uncertain. In the midst of confusion and change, God remains sovereign, working in ways we cannot always see. Turning to Zechariah 7, we see a people wrestling with tradition—specifically, whether to continue fasting as they had during their years of exile and trauma. The Israelites had built traditions around their pain, but now, with the temple being rebuilt and a new season dawning, they faced a crucial question: Should they keep doing what they’ve always done, or is God calling them to something deeper?

Tradition, while comforting and familiar, can become a stumbling block if it loses its meaning or becomes disconnected from the heart. Like my friend who always ordered chicken tenders and fries, we can cling to what’s familiar, missing out on the greater blessings God has prepared for us. God is not against tradition, but He is deeply concerned with the motives and attitudes behind our actions. Zechariah challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we doing what we do for God, or simply out of habit, for ourselves, or for the approval of others?

Self-examination is essential. Before we act, serve, or even worship, we must ask: Who gets the glory? Would I still do this if no one noticed? Is this aligned with God’s character? Am I building God’s kingdom or my own platform? These questions help us move from empty ritual to authentic relationship. God desires that our traditions be rooted in justice, mercy, and compassion—not just in outward observance.

Zechariah’s message is clear: God wants transformed hearts, not just repeated actions. When our hearts are right, our traditions become life-giving and God-honoring. And here’s the promise—God can take traditions born out of trauma and turn them into celebrations. What was once a season of mourning can become a season of joy, as God transforms our pain into praise. The past should guide us, not bind us. As we move forward, let’s ensure our hearts are set on God, ready to serve, to confront injustice, and to celebrate the new things He is doing.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s sovereignty transcends chaos and tradition. Even when the world feels out of control, God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. Trusting in His unseen hand allows us to move beyond fear and into faith, knowing that our circumstances do not dictate His power or presence. [00:57]
2. Traditions can become spiritual stumbling blocks if they are not continually examined. What once brought meaning can become empty ritual if we lose sight of the heart behind it. God calls us to regularly reflect on why we do what we do, ensuring our actions are motivated by love for Him rather than mere habit or the desire for approval. [08:51]
3. Self-examination is a spiritual discipline that leads to authentic worship and service. Asking hard questions about our motives—such as who gets the glory, whether we would serve if no one noticed, and if our actions align with God’s character—protects us from self-deception and keeps our hearts tender before God. This kind of reflection is not about guilt, but about growth and deeper intimacy with the Lord. [32:23]
4. God desires justice, mercy, and compassion to flow from our hearts, not just our traditions. True spirituality is measured not by outward observance, but by how we treat the vulnerable, the marginalized, and those in need. Our faith must move us to confront injustice and embody God’s love in practical ways, both within the church and in the world. [39:30]
5. God transforms seasons of mourning into seasons of celebration when our hearts are aligned with Him. The traditions that once marked our pain can become testimonies of His faithfulness and joy. As we allow God to shift our hearts, He turns our fasting into feasting, our lack into abundance, and our sorrow into praise, reminding us that every setback is temporary in light of His ultimate victory. [43:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - God’s Sovereignty in Chaos
[02:15] - Introduction to Zechariah 7
[05:05] - What’s in Your Heart?
[05:58] - The Comfort of Familiar Traditions
[08:51] - When Tradition Loses Meaning
[11:27] - Elevation Requires a New Palate
[13:30] - The Purpose of Repentance
[17:04] - Reflecting on God’s Grace
[18:39] - Waiting on God’s Response
[22:56] - The Work While You Wait
[25:51] - Examining Motives Behind Actions
[31:29] - The Danger of Disconnected Tradition
[32:23] - Ten Questions for Self-Examination
[36:58] - The Bride of Christ vs. the Bride of Tradition
[38:29] - Tradition vs. Heart Transformation
[39:30] - Justice, Mercy, and Compassion
[43:24] - From Mourning to Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Zechariah 7:1-14 (ESV) — Now in the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord, saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, 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? Were not these the words that the Lord proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’”
And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.”

Observation Questions

What question did the people bring to the priests and prophets in Zechariah 7, and why was it significant for their situation? [02:15]
According to Zechariah 7, what was God’s main concern about the people’s fasting and traditions? [25:51]
What specific instructions does God give through Zechariah about how the people should treat others, especially the vulnerable? [39:30]
In the sermon, what example did the pastor use to illustrate how people can get stuck in familiar traditions, and what was the point of that story? [07:00]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God asked the people if their fasting was really for Him or for themselves? What does this reveal about God’s priorities? [25:51]
How can traditions that started as meaningful responses to pain or trauma become stumbling blocks if not examined? [08:51]
The sermon mentioned that God desires justice, mercy, and compassion more than empty rituals. Why do you think these qualities are so important to God, and how do they reflect His character? [39:30]
What does it mean for God to transform seasons of mourning into seasons of celebration, and how does this connect to the people’s traditions in Zechariah 7 and 8? [43:24]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to ask, “Who gets the glory?” when we serve, worship, or act. Think about a recent time you served or participated in a church activity—who were you really doing it for? Would you have done it if no one noticed? [32:23]
Are there any traditions in your life—at home, at church, or personally—that you follow mostly out of habit or comfort, rather than out of a heart for God? What would it look like to examine or even change those traditions? [08:51]
The pastor listed questions for self-examination, like “Am I building God’s kingdom or my own platform?” and “Is this aligned with God’s character?” Which of these questions challenges you the most, and why? [32:23]
Zechariah calls us to show justice, mercy, and compassion, especially to the vulnerable. Is there a specific person or group in your life or community that you feel God is calling you to serve or advocate for? What is one step you could take this week? [39:30]
The Israelites’ traditions of fasting were rooted in past trauma, but God wanted to turn their mourning into celebration. Are there any painful experiences or “seasons of mourning” in your life that you sense God wants to transform into something new? How might you open your heart to that transformation? [43:24]
The sermon said, “The past should guide us, not bind us.” Is there something from your past—good or bad—that you feel is holding you back from what God wants to do in your life now? What would it look like to let God use your past as a guide instead of an anchor? [22:56]
When you think about your motives for worship, service, or even daily routines, what practical steps can you take this week to ensure your heart is truly set on God and not just on tradition or approval from others? [25:51]

Sermon Clips

Sometimes we do things in our households, in our church families, in our lives, not because they're meaningful but because they're familiar. And you'll spend more money on something that's familiar when really the Lord has something greater for you. We treat the past not as a guide but as a law to be rigidly followed without questioning or understanding it. When this occurs, our tradition begins to lose meaning in the lives of people, become challenging to maintain because they just don't make sense anymore. [00:09:38] (48 seconds) #TraditionWithoutTruth

If you realize the power this has, you'd be repenting right now. God, I'll repent for not handling that situation properly. I repent for the bad attitude I had last night. I repent for being short-tempered while holding long grudges. I repent for my lack of commitment. I repent for not following through on what I said I was going to do. Stop holding on to guilt and just repent. [00:17:21] (25 seconds) #PowerOfRepentance

When you fasted, did you do it for the Lord or did you do it for yourself? In other words, what's in your heart? When you got dressed this morning, did you do it for the Lord or for yourself? When you came to church this morning, did you do it just because somebody else asked you, did you do it for another reason, or are you here this morning for the Lord? [00:28:22] (38 seconds) #HeartMotivesMatter

Examine your motives before you address the tradition. That's why before we partake in the Lord's Supper, Paul says, examine yourselves. Because if you do this just out of tradition, you can make yourself sick. Ain't that what the Bible say? You can make yourself sick. Paul said that's why some are even sleeping. Because they approach this table as a tradition with a disconnected heart. [00:31:04] (45 seconds) #ExamineBeforeYouPartake

Who gets the glory? Are your actions pointed to people or to God? If your actions are pointed to people, then you won't be consistent because people are inconsistent. Folk will add a boy or add a girl you today and crucify you tomorrow. What you did was good enough yesterday and then all of a sudden today it no longer works. But when what you do is for God, there's an eternal reward that you're building. [00:32:18] (43 seconds) #GloryToGodAlone

If your heart is right then everything will work out, but if our hearts aren't right, the tradition can't save you, because this table is about heart transformation. This table is about open-heart spiritual surgery. This table is about going from a bigot to a Christian believer. [00:41:29] (25 seconds) #HeartTransformationAtTheTable

Zechariah is telling us we will confront injustice, boldly speak out against racial, economic, and systemic injustice in society and within the body of Christ. The assault on diversity, the continued washing of history, the attack on Medicaid, the reduction in threats on SNAP food stamps, wicked undermining the ability for poor families, especially single-parent households and widows, to access food and health care, lack of affordable housing, the attack on science and the CDC, the delay in passing the Senator Clemente C. Pinckney hate crimes act by our own state house, bullets continue to pierce bodies of innocent people and children and houses of worship across color and across denomination, harsh immigration policies including family separation, deportations, and the restricted asylum access—Zechariah is saying to the people, now that the Lord has brought you out of darkness, now that the Lord has delivered you and healed you, now that the Lord has shown you the way, don't go back to doing the same stuff that got you in trouble. [00:42:00] (81 seconds) #ConfrontInjusticeBoldly

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