Today while searching through the book of Isaiah for the verse I used in yesterday's post I "stumbled" across this one. The title of the chapter is "True Fasting." Thank you.
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “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?
7 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?
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.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:1-9a
It's not enough for us to simply deny ourselves during a fast. We must also earnestly seek to serve our brothers and sister, which we are always supposed to be doing, but for me fasting is a wonderful way to be reminded over and over again of something. In my case, recognizing the things I need to be doing, rather than the things I am giving up, is hugely advantageous and helps me to focus. We are not supposed to focus on ourselves or our "hunger" pains, we are supposed to carry on as though we are not fasting, never calling attention to ourselves.
Matthew 6:16-19 - 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
That's all I really have today.
"Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!" - Bob and Larry, Veggie Tales
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I've been reminded over and over of that verse in Matthew. I've been wondering how to apply it, kind of. We've talked so much about what it is we're fasting from. I'm not sure if we should. Although, at the same time, some accountability is good. But, isn't it for God anyway? *shrugs* I don't know. I've been a little back and forth on what I think about how we've talked so much about what we're fasting from during the DE. I'd be interested to know what you think, based on Matthew (or whatever else). :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you ended this with a Veggie Tales quote. :P
Ashley, I agree with you. it is a difficult line to walk, but as much as it is important for us to bear our own burdens and not make a show of it, we need one another for accountability. If the purpose of sharing the things we are fasting is for that accountability, and support, then I think it is not only ok, but necessary. The point is, it is not about us, it is about God, and if telling others and seeking pray and support helps you then it is worth it.
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