Isaiah 58: 5
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February 24, 2010
A Fast of God’s Choosing
Isaiah 58: 5
EARS TO HEAR is the radio ministry of FAMILIES. BY GOD. For EARS TO HEAR, here’s Tim Glisson.
For most of us the idea of fasting involves giving something up – usually food and or drink – for a specific amount of time. For Christians the goal is to get close to God; get His attention if you will or listen to Him. That’s the idea we get from Esther before she speaks to the King about purging her people. Same for Daniel as he fasts three weeks before he’s given a vision for his. The list goes on and includes David, Elijah even Jesus as well as many others.
But in Isaiah Chapter 58 God has a different take. Angry with His rebellious children, God tells them they can fast all they want and it won’t matter to Him because of their disobedience.
Instead He challenges them to fast by doing something: for the poor; for the oppressed; for the hungry; for the naked; for the homeless; for the stranger.
In short, God foreshadows what Jesus will teach years later in Matthew chapter 25: that which you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.
Interesting thought isn’t it? Next time you’re led to fast to get close to God: instead of doing without, maybe He’s asking you to do: for Him.
If you have EARS to HEAR the cry of the child, please visit our website at FAMILIESBYGOD.org. For EARS TO HEAR, I’m Tim Glisson.
