Key verse: No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you . . . I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help! Isaiah 58: 6.
I don't know about you, but many years I've gotten sucked into the "what are you giving up for Lent this year?" I know the giving up is related to the Bible's idea called fasting. One year I gave up coffee for Lent - a big deal for me. Of course I started up again on Easter morning. I guess the question is what did that do for God or for God's kingdom? Nothing!
Isaiah was writing in the middle of very troubling times. The people God had chosen to be his light in the world had deserted worshipping Him and had turned to idols and to their own ways rather than his. Isaiah chided the people for their once-in-a-while fasting - and thinking they might impress God.
God doesn't want our signs and efforts and giving up and starting up. What he wants is whole-hearted devotion and commitment. That often shows up in the way we live our lives - feeding hungry; clothing others; helping a family member who needs help.
God help me to get fasting right.
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