True Fasting

December 22, 2020


In Isaiah 58, Lord is exposing the shallow worship of His people. They are rebellious people, not following the Lord and are leading sinful life. Isaiah 58:1. Still they are asking why God is not seeing their fasting and not answering their prayers.58:3. At this point God is speaking to them through His servant prophet Isaiah.

A. Their present fasting

  1. One the day of fasting, you do as you please.58:3. (doing whatever you like.)
  2. exploiting all your workers. Isa.58:3.
  3. Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife. Isa.58:4.
  4. Your fasting ends in striking each other with wicked fists.

With this kind of fasting, don’t expect your voice to be heard on high. Isa 58:4.

Only outward ritual without any inward transformation. Is this true in our fasting/ worship today?

B. What is the kind of fasting acceptable to the Lord? Isaiah 58:6

  1. To loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke. 58:6
  2. To set the oppressed free and break every yoke. 58:6,9.
  3. To share your food with the hungry. 58:7.
  4. To provide shelter to the poor wanderer. 58:7.
  5. To clothe the naked. 58:7.
  6. Not to turn away from our own flesh and blood. 58:7.
  7. Do away with pointing finger and malicious talk. 58:9.
  8. Spend yourself in behalf of the hungry. 58:10.
  9. Satisfy the needs of the oppressed.

C. Benefits / Blessing of True Fasting
(IF we obey the above, then)

  1. Our light will break forth like the dawn. 58:8,10.
  2. Our healing will quickly appear. 58:8.
  3. Our righteousness will go before us. 58:8.
  4. The glory of the Lord will be our rear gaurd. 58:8.
  5. The Lord will answer when we call. 58:9.
  6. The Lord will immediately answer our cry. 58:9.
  7. The Lord will guide us always. 58:11.
  8. The Lord will satisfy our needs. 58:11.
  9. The Lord will strengthen our form. 58:11
  10. We will be like a well watered garden. 58:11.
  11. We will be like a spring whose waters never fail. 58:11.

Are the above blessings happening in our life? If not, what could be the reason?

God is not interested in superficial spirituality / name sake religion and ritualistic fasting. Prayer and fasting of a person who live according to God’s Word is pleasing to God , He will answer his prayer and will bless him abundantly.

Rev. C.V. Abraham

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