Isaiah 58 vividly describes the sad condition of a people that lost the perspective for fasting. Their question to God was, "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?" Isaiah gives God's quick, stinging response, "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high." (Isaiah 58:3, 4 KJV)
These people had become so religiously entwined in their rituals and "churchy" habits until they continued practicing fasting all the while involved in sin. God commissioned and commanded Isaiah to, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58:1 KJV) God would not hear this type of fasting, "they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:1, 2 KJV) God through Isaiah details their sins and what He expected of them in seeking Him.(read vs 4-13) He also tells them of the blessing that follows true repentance and seeking Him. (v.14) God still speaks today. What is He saying to us? What is He saying to you and me?
PRAYER: Father may we come humbly before you confessing sin and seeking your will and agenda to be lived out in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Please forgive alterior, selfish motives for seeking You. Open my eyes to see what You are doing in those who are lost and help me become involved in sharing Christ with them in every way possible. AMEN!
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