Reflection and Awe Lent Series - The Promises of True Fasting

Yesterday, we were properly warned of the worthlessness of fasting with ungodly behavior and wrong motivations. Today, we will consider the opposite: the abundant blessings that come from a humble and righteous fast.

We have promises when we follow God’s patterns for our lives. This is true throughout the Bible and it’s exactly what we find here in Isaiah 58.

When God saw the people of Israel going through the motions of fasting and behaving poorly, He told them how to remedy the situation: 

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" (Isaiah 58:6-7 NIV)

He pointed out what He saw them doing wrong and told them what they needed to do to find favor with Him and understand the kind of fast that pleases Him. And then, His promise of blessing in verse 8:

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8 NIV)

Think about that for a minute—light breaking through like the dawn—God's hope bursting through the darkness of whatever you may be going through or witnessing in our society. Wouldn't we all like to have that? And that's just the beginning of the good news. As we bask in that light, healing comes—for our souls, for our bodies, for our society. Oh, that we would all fast with sincerity and expectancy. Imagine the light and healing God's Spirit would pour out on us. 

Not only does He promise light and healing, but He says His righteousness will go ahead of us and His glory as our rear guard! What an escort He provides for the believer who turns aside from ungodly pursuits and seeks Him with a contrite heart. 

In Isaiah 58, the Lord continues instructing the Israelites about behaviors that must stop. He again tells them what they need to do and of His promises that await on the other side.

“Stop your finger pointing, oppression, and malicious talk. Give to the hungry and oppressed [paraphrased]. "Then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; ... satisfy your needs ... and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (v. 9-11)

Oh, to live in that reality would be so beautiful, right?

Our desire to live this out must move us to action. It has been said that love is a verb. It's a doing word, an action. It requires us to transition from just the fixtures and fittings of Christianity to an active and responsive faith—a faith that impacts those around us and changes their world. A faith that meets the broken in theirbrokenness and calls them higher. A faith that is not afraid to get on its knees to wash the dirty feet of the wanderer. That's the kind of fasting we need.

And the blessing doesn’t stop there! God continues to effusively bless us, over and over again, saying, “Then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (v. 14)

Let’s pray.

Lord, I thank You for Your promises awaiting on the other side of our obedience. I thank You that I will experience light breaking out, healing, blessing, and abundance when I walk in Your ways. Today, Lord, bring the lost, broken, and lonely into my path so I can declare the goodness of God in practical ways. Use me today, Lord, to rebuild, renew, and restore the places of devastation. For Your Glory and in Your precious name. 

Amen.