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Isaiah 57:15-59:21, Philippians 1:1-26, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 24:9-10
“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? 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 58:5-8
God was getting onto these fasting people because while they were sacrificing to hear from God, they were unjustly oppressing their workers, overlooking the needy, and fighting at the end of the day. Bottom line – God says, “You are missing the whole point. You’re just giving up a meal to move Me to do what you want, but your heart remains unchanged! I will not honor this.”
In a nutshell, if we do for others, God will do for us. There are many who are not as fortunate as others. If the ones who have will give a come-up to those who are struggling, God will honor their efforts. He doesn’t expect you help everyone, nor does He expect you to help lazy people who refuse to help themselves. In II Thessalonians 3:10, it states that the person who doesn’t work, doesn’t eat. God expects people to do what they can, but He also knows the injustice and greed in the hearts of men. Keep your eyes open to those He brings into your path, do what you can to express God’s love through tangible means. No more be warmed, be filled, do something. Check your attitude to ensure your motives are right and you are not dominating or short-changing people. You were blessed to be a blessing!
PRAYER: Lord, give me a generous heart. Show me those You have given to me to help. Give me wisdom in how to best do that. I do not want to be a nasty person who is ugly and unfair to others. I want to be a liberator, not a tyrant. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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