Theme Verse“We have fasted before you,” they say. “Why aren’t you impressed? Why don’t you see our sacrifices? Why don’t you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!” I’ll tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting, and you keep right on oppressing your workers…” Isaiah 58:3TLB |
Motive for Fasting
When we fast why do we do it? Do we fast as way of blackmailing God to have pity on us as we afflict ourselves so he answers our prayers? Or do we fast for ourselves?
The Jews at the time of isaiah equally fasted, for fasting was a tradition to these people; it was like a second nature to them.
Fasting Denied
However, the result of their fast was not forthcoming and they questioned God for not answering their requests despite the fact that they had afflicted themselves.
God’s response was quite remarkable and strange at the same time. He accused them of not practicing the right lifestyle during their fasting and even after. He goes on to enumerate their evil practices.
Their Reproach
These people during their fasting continued to oppress their workers, indulge in quarrels, fights abd dispensed injustice to the helpless.
The Father says this type of fasting will us nowhere with Him; Our fasting is geared at impressing God by the way we afflict ourselves or the penace we do; Our fasting is to blackmail God to answer our prayers because He pities us. God is not man!
However, God didn’t leave them in the dark concerning the kind of fasting He wants. Sit tight and relax for the answer is not what you would expect!
The Fast He has Chosen
The fast He wanted them to do is to stop oppressing their workers, treat them fairly and give them the wages they have earned.
“…the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn.” Isaiah 58:6 TLB
God continued by revealing to them that He wants them to share their food with the hungry, be juste towards to helpless, poor and destitute.
Also to have compassion on those who desperately need help and more so, not to hide from our family members who need help. (Oh oh 😮).
“I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help.” Isaiah 58:7 TLB
The result of adopting the right lifestyle that’s practicing the Word of God is the fast He has chosen; it is what He requires. Never forget God judges from inside; our mindset towards His Word and our motives.
Lesson
He is not impressed by the number of days we good hungry as you afflict yourself; He is not impressed by your penance.
What impresses Him is how much you replicate His Love to others, practice justice and our compassion towards those who desire our help.
Conclusion and the Result of Good Fasting
Your fasting is for you and not for Him. It is a process whereby you afflict your desires and to quiet all the noise, the end of which is to bring ourselves to the place where we reconnect with Him and ultimately flow in His nature and will. In practicing His Word He will reward you. Isaiah 58:8-12 (please this quotation is a must read, follow the link.)
Your fasting is for you and not for Him. It is a process whereby you afflict your desires and to quiet all the noise, the end of which is to bring ourselves to the place where we reconnect with Him and ultimately flow in His nature and will.Click To Tweet
Let’s Spread The WORD
