Show mercy and compassion to one another.
—Zechariah 7:9
The returned remnant of the exile worshipped God in Babylon for 70 years, but their sincerity was dubious: “Did you really do it for me?” the Lord asked (Zech. 7:5 CEV).
Their devotion to God was unconvincing because they didn’t “show mercy and compassion to one another.”
These are the very things that drew Jesus’ censure of the Pharisees. They were vigilant in their giving—tithing even the spices in their pantries. “But,” he said, “you have neglected the more important matters … justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matt. 23:23).
Worship of God comes up short when the worshiper is insensitive to human need: “When you refused to help my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me” (Matt. 25:45).
Worship of God is validated
by compassion for people.