Fasting With No Results

O. T. #1694  "Fasting With No Results"
May 20, 2020
Isaiah 58

LET IT GLOW

I have been on a special fasting diet for the past 9 weeks. It included no milk products, low intake of sugar and carbs, even no Dr. Peppers. The good result is that I have lost 10 pounds. The bad thing is that it did not remove thrush in my mouth, throat, nor my esophagus. I tried home remedies and prescriptions, and even stopped using my steroid inhaler for asthma, but without good results. Finally, I tried sucking lemons and that seems to be the best result.  My fast was not a spiritual one.  Then I connected with my God who cares about me. He knew my answer. Finally, I tried sucking on lemons and it seems to be the best result. Israel was fasting with no results. Check it out.

We are beginning the last section of Isaiah's book. He puts the final pieces in place for God's work of salvation and restoration for Israel. What is the beginning of that restoration? It is establishing the proper worship of God. Israel had failed miserably. They wanted God's blessings and their prayers answered, but it was not happening. They were going through the motions, with no notion of why.
After all, they:

• came to the Temple daily;
• seemed delighted to learn more about God;
• acted like a righteous nation that had never abandoned God's laws;
• pray;
• pretend to draw near to God;
• and fasted.

Those things were good deeds, but it did not please God. So we wonder why. God tells them in verses 3 and 4:
They kept oppressing their workers, kept fighting and quarreling, went through the motions of penance, bowed their heads in prayer, even dressing in burlap and covering themselves with ashes, and their fasting was to please themselves.

The people were proud of their fasting and were objecting that God was disregarding their fast. The only fast required by law was a fast for the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29; Numbers 29:7). (Falwell)

It is good for us to evaluate our motives for the religious things we do. Are we doing it for a show so we look close to God? Do we pray elaborate prayers when in the midst of others? Is our church attendance a show to others?

LET IT GROW

Fasting is good both physically and spiritually if done correctly according to God. However, there are our service to go beyond our own personal deeds. He wants us to show acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity, as we apply God's Word in our lives. This is pleasing to Him, how we show we love God, when we show love to others.

Love God and love others, that is how Jesus summed up the Christian life.
Relationships are often hard work and require commitment. We serve God in and through our relationships with others. God is not interested in our fasts that do not include authentic worship, which leads to real-life obedience and love for others. Every relationship must be rooted and growing in Him, and extended to the way we treat others.

Is our fasting times drawing us closer to the heart of God and seen in the way we show love for others?

LET IT GO

Open my eyes so I see opportunities to share You love.