Isaiah 58

‘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".

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As though our only reason for fasting is so God will notice...and be impressed.

It belies the notion of  the "broken and contrite heart" that God demands (Ps 51:17). I suggest true fasting would be so focused on our own contrition we wouldn't notice if God was even aware. I also suggest if I've never fasted I'm revealing something about self-worth more than my Divine-worth.

Fasting is an important ritual for us, but it doesn't look much like we traditionally believe. We've been raised to view fasting as self-denial. We do not eat food. If we're really holy we sit in the front row of the sanctuary...starving...pouring out our sinfulness before God.

And...after a time...we go to Cracker Barrel...

At times I'm on my knees before God begging for intercession. I fast...I pray...and then I amaze myself by how quickly I revert to my quixotic ways as soon as I stand up.

Ray Stedman says Chapter 58 voices a protest from the religious community. Some people say, "We don't fit into this category. We're good, decent people. We go to church. We love the Bible. We give liberally. Yet God does not seem to give us joy and gladness. Why is this?"

What are we doing wrong? Isaiah explains. "For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them". Except, of course, until their fasting doesn't achieve its intended result. Then? "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.  Is this the kind of fast I have chosen?"

Go ahead...tell yourself that isn't you. Or, just tell the truth and admit our lives are a daily battle with selfishness and sin. If it were not so, we would be at perfect peace. So...what's the solution?
 

God says "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 them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

Fasting looks a lot more like hard work than like sitting around feeling guilty. And, it surely is self-denial. True fasting is giving our lives in service to others. Not out of a spirit of superiority and plenty but out of a spirit of humility and want. And the outcome is far different as well. "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". 

So...the question is rather simple: Has your light broken forth? Has your healing appeared? Does God answer when you speak? Its all about the FAST!

Live boldly out there today...