TRUE
FASTING (Part 2)
Two
weeks ago I wrote about fasting and how we are to have Godly motivation in our
hearts as we endeavor to seek God’s will and His purpose in our lives. In the
second portion of this theme I would like to focus in on a chapter in the Old
Testament that has the title “true fasting”. It is found in Isaiah 58 and
challenges our hearts in how we devote ourselves to the Lord and what our
response should be when our motives are pointed out.
In the first five verses Isaiah speaks and points out
how the nation of
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not
noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all
your workers.4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and
strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do
today and expect your voice to be heard on high.”
What we see is not too different from our own
behavior at times. We expect God to answer our prayers and yet we live as we
please and then one day we decide to dedicate a day or even a period of time to
the Lord and inquire of God when our expectations are not met. Then in verse 5
a question is asked of the Israelites; “Is this the
kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it
only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is
that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?” In verse 6 we are
informed of what God’s idea is of true fasting; “to loose the chains of
injustice and to set the oppressed free”. The following verse carries on with
this theme, “to share food with the hungry and provide shelter and clothing for
the poor and to show mercy to our loved ones”. The instructions are clear as
communicated through the prophet Elijah. So often we put on a show or pay lip
service to others to make it seem like we care about them or a situation. The
reality is that often they are only words and actions that benefit our
reputation. The giving of our time and material possessions are the true
reflection of a heart that is correctly engaged with God’s purposes.
What follows in verse 8 is a promise that God shares
with us through the prophet Isaiah. When God is obeyed and honored through
serving with integrity, a promise is stated in verses 8-9; “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. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD
will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
As the verses unfold in this chapter, beautiful metaphors are used to
express the results as stated in verse 11; “You will be like a well-watered
garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” As the chapter begins to close
the encouragement is to honor the Lord during the days He has set aside. The
nation of
By: Pastor David Jones
(Bible
portions from the NIV)