Life Journal 07-29-2008 Fasting

Fasting

(S) Scripture
Isaiah 58:3-11 (NIV)
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? 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.
5 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?
6 "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?
7 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?
8 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. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

(O) Observation
Isaiah makes clear God's design and desire for fasting. Here he explains what it is and what it is not. Fasting is not just for the individual but it is accompanied by action that benefits others. Fasting should produce action on behalf of the poor and oppressed - those less fortunate than ourselves.

(A) Application
"How do you make a slow horse fast? Don't feed him." Most people think fasting is just that - not eating. It is much more and in this passage Isaiah gives God's perspective by describing their experience and his expectations. Fasting is not just for the individual's self gratification. Here the Word says it should bring me to a place of action on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Fasting leads me to a place where I no longer condemn others but spend myself in helping those in need. It is then that my light will rise in the darkness and I will receive God's direction and protection in my life.
I have missed the purpose of fasting so often by thinking it was for my personal spiritual enrichment when in fact God wants to use fasting to prepare me to do His work with those in need. Today I will look for opportunities to help those in need and not think only of myself.

(P) Prayer
Lord, forgive me for being so self-centered and thinking that it is always about me. I ask that you make me sensitive to the needs of people around me and help me to take the steps to help them. Prod me out of my complacency. Amen