The Fast that God Loves

Will a fast I choose be like this: a day for a person to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord?

Isn't this a fast I choose: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to cloth the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord's glory will be your rear guard.

At that time you will call and the Lord will answer; when you cry out He will say, "Here I am."

If you get rid of the finger pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to th hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.

The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a well watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called repairer of the broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live. Isaiah 58:5-12

I have never been one for sackcloth and ashes, but I have fasted. Why do we fast? Usually because we know something is wrong and we need to seek God or because our church declares a fast.

In the passage the Lord is telling us what is more important to Him. We can seek more righteousness or holiness, His presence and grace but if we neglect others, we waste our time. Who is the poor in our world? Who is the needy?

Only last week a saw a video clip of a refugee in Germanly out cooking on the streets to give back out of gratitude. He was in poverty himself but had a little more than those he fed. He was practising a righteousness that is more appealing than someone going around with a long face, because they are fasting. God is interested in mercy before sacrifice.

When we get it right there is a promise, our light will shine like the sun, ahe promises to lead us, he promises us strong bones, we will be like a well watered garden. These all sound very attractive. Amen!

Stop! Wait! Listen! Allow Him room! Amen!