Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? —Isaiah 58:5 The fast is not about food; its about transformation. Israel’s practice of fasting was reduced to religious motions & the denial of food. God was saying they had made it to a one-day happening; and lost the why behind the fast. After posing this question God outlines the fast that pleases Him: Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? —Isaiah 58:6–7, emphasis added God wants a fast that releases chains, unties cords, and sets the captive free by breaking every yoke, that yet exist on ourselves & others. It is a fast that positions you to share and provide for others, while tenderizing your heart toward the needs of your own flesh and blood. More than setting aside a single day, 3 days, a week or 21 days God wants sustained actions that honor Him. This often requires radical and profound changes in our lifestyle. Jesus confronted the Pharisees who tithed their garden herb yet neglected weightier things (They turned from the poor and from doing good.) This doesnt make the tithe wrong--they should have done both. These men were experts in the law but not in love. Lets excel in love! In Isaiah God goes onto promise that if we reach beyond our selves, then He will provide what we can not provide for ourselves. He will cause: Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. —Isaiah 58:8–9, emphasis added God promises to light our darkness, heal us and make our righteousness apparent. (Right now the world wonders.) His glory will guard us, He will answer our prayers and help us in our time of need. He repeats the outline of His conditions for this blessing, and His vision for their lives: If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed... —Isaiah 58:9–10, emphasis added God wants us to do away with the yoke of oppression. Oppressed people often oppress others. The pointing of the finger represents accusation and judgment. These usually involves comparisons, and if we are honest, we can admit these patterns often lead to jealousy. This is our time to get our eyes off ourselves, get free & free others. What actions can you take today to obey the instructions of Isaiah 58? Do you have food, clothing or time you could donate? Who in your family might be in need? Is there way you could respond? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Over the next few weeks we will dive deeper into Isaiah 58! Lisa
Posted on: Sun, 05 Jan 2014 16:49:24 +0000
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