Isaiah 58:4-9a

Happy Friday, everyone! :)

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Isaiah 58:4-9a

Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

 

In the first kind of fast described here, the people were focused on outward things; trying to look like they were fasting, look like they were spiritual. They also went into this fast with their own idea of what should happen, and then when God didn't do what they thought He should, they got upset with Him. This kind of fast is useless, a waste of time and completely lacking in power.

But look at the fast that God has chosen!! In this fast there is great power--the power to break the chains of sin and slavery, the power to lift heavy burdens, the power to set others free, the power of healing and the power of a ready audience with God. In fact, this fast that God has chosen is not about an outward appearance at all; it's all about the releasing of God's power in a situation by obeying Him even when we don't understand why, or how He's going to work. It's all about simply being willing and available to be a vessel of His power to a world in desperate need of God! It is a glorious mystery beyond our comprehension, why and how God uses His people as conduits for His amazing works. But the fact is He does, and He is longing for a people who will choose the fast that He has chosen that He might pour out His power through them. Will we be that people?I

 

Father, I want to be one through whom Your power flows!!! I give myself to You; help me to choose You in every choice I make, big and small; to live my life yielded completely to You for You to use as You see fit. I will choose to live this fast that You have chosen--even when I don't understand what all that means!

 

May the Lord richly bless you as you yield yourself to be used by Him!

 

Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website