Readings for today: Isaiah 58-60, Psalms 119:153-176
For years, I have practiced the discipline of fasting. I fast most days, typically eating one solid meal. In the past, I have fasted for 24 hours. 48 hours. Even a week or more on occasion. Typically, my fasts involve abstaining from food. I think that’s how most of us think about it. However, today’s reading introduces a new idea to the mix. Fasting from wickedness. Fasting from injustice. Fasting from unrighteousness. Fasting from the self-centered life. In the same way fasting from food makes us more aware of our need to depend on God for our daily bread, fasting from wickedness makes us more hungry and thirsty for righteousness.
Why do I fast? It’s a question I often get asked. Honestly, because it feels good. My mind is more sharp. My emotional health is more regulated. My physical body is more healthy. When my doctor does my blood work, he often remarks at how good the numbers appear. However, far more important is the condition of my soul and that’s where “fasting from wickedness” comes in. When I identify sinful thoughts, attitudes, and actions and begin to address them in my life through intentional fasting, I find myself drawing closer to God. Sin erects a barrier between us. It alienates and creates emotional and spiritual distance. It hardens the heart and callouses the soul. This is why God is so passionate about repentance. He knows the damage unchecked sin can do to a person.
Isaiah calls us to fast from the sin that so easily entangles us as human beings. In addition, he calls us to take up those disciplines and practices that lead to life and blessing not only for us as individuals but for the entire community. Listen to what God says again through His prophet, “Isn’t this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood? Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer; when you cry out, he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live. If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath, from doing whatever you want on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking business; then you will delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride over the heights of the land, and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:6-14 CSB)
I have to say that all of the promises of God listed in this passage have come true for me. As I have dedicated my life to breaking the chains of wickedness and setting the oppressed free, sharing my bread with the hungry and helping the poor and powerless; the light of Christ has shined brighter and brighter in and through me. I have met strangers who have heard of the work I have the privilege to be involved in both locally and globally. And God’s glory has protected me in so many ways. God has always strengthened me, even in hard times. He has always been there, even when I’m struggling. He has used me to help rebuild ruins and restore foundations. My life is an absolute testimony to His grace. Does this mean I get everything I want? No. Does it mean I never have a care or worry in the world? Absolutely not true. Does it mean I have been given great wealth and influence and power? Not at all. I’m just a guy. Just an ordinary, everyday person trying his best to be faithful. I make more than my fair share of mistakes but God is faithful to use me despite myself and my sin. Trust me when I tell you He wants to do the same with you.
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 61-64, Psalms 120