AN ACCEPTABLE FAST
Erin Kranz
Today's Scripture: “Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?’” Isaiah 58:5b-6, ESV
Theme: Sitting and mourning at home isn’t all that God desires from us; He wants us to exit the building, loose bonds, undo binding straps, and free the oppressed.
OUR WAY
In today’s Scripture, God addresses the difference between ritualistic religion and genuine worship. The Israelites were observing the outward act of fasting and couldn’t understand why God wasn’t blessing them. However, their hearts were far from His intentions. Verses 3 and 4 show that, even on the day of their fast, the people sought their own pleasures and were cruel to each other. They were focused on the form of worship rather than the purpose of it, and so God did not honor it.
I love this passage because it tackles something many of us struggle with head-on. For me personally, growing up in church my whole life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to learn more about God and the Bible and thinking that that is enough. It’s tempting to look down on others with a false piety for God’s laws and forget the most important law of all – to love others. =
GOD’S WAY
Twice Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6 when He said, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” (Matthew 9:13, 12:7). In today’s passage from Isaiah, God challenged the people to see His true desire: “Is not this the fast that I choose: loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (v.6-7). Worship that touches God’s heart doesn’t stop with self-denial; it moves outward to relieve suffering, break chains, and bring hope to the broken.
Make It Personal: Ask yourself, “Am I just going through the motions of worship, or am I truly seeking to live out God’s call to provide aid and justice?” What is one step you can take this week live out the true worship God is calling us to?
Pray: Dear God, open my eyes to see the hurt around me and to also see people the way You see them. Thank You for Your love and kindness to us. Give me boldness and compassion to step out and serve those around me. In Your Name, Amen.
Read: Isaiah 58
Weekly Memory Verse: “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31, ESV