Bible Reading: Isaiah 56, 57 & 58: 11Thessalonians 2
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [7] Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6&7 (KJV)
People fast for different reasons and for different purposes. Fasting has become an instrument of raising one’s spirituality by denying oneself some comfort and food in order to subject the flesh and lift up the spirit. People fast for positive and negative reasons. Some fast to enable them pray against their enemy, others fast to make request to God to grant them their heart desire. Many fast for strife and debate and to afflict their fellow man with pain and vengeance. People also fast to fulfill the dogma of their sect and religion.
Most times in fasting, people afflict their soul and bow down their heads presenting a false humility. They cover themselves with ashes and cover themselves with sackcloth. All these are outward manifestation of self which does not actually represent a true picture of our inner thought and being. Our actions during and after fasting most times does not reflect the love of God, grace, humility and selflessness. Even in our fasting we hold grudges, act wickedly towards our fellow man, refuse help to the needy, oppress the poor, render false judgment and murder innocent citizens in the land. We embezzle and corner the wealth of the masses, we steal from the common treasury, we aid evil. God, in the passage of today, rejects such a fast (Isaiah 58:5).
In our scriptural verses of the day we see the mind of God as it relates to what is acceptable to Him as true fast. When we practice all that the LORD has enumerated as true fast which flows from a renewed inner being there are inestimable blessings attached. For us to be recipients of these blessing we must loose the hold of wickedness, undo the heavy burden we placed on people, set the oppress free and break every yoke, feed the poor and the hungry, clothe the naked and be available to help those around you. There is an adage that says givers don’t lack. In our fasting exercise we must learn to love, give and show affection. Let us borrow leaf from our Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life and received many unto glory. “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35 (KJV).
The true fast that is pleasing unto God entails loving your neighbor, giving to the poor, providing for the needy and showing kindness to your fellow man. When we do this we become recipients of divine blessing as stated in Isaiah 58:8-11. These blessings include, but not limited to, your being a pace setter, you will have good health, men shall honour and respect you and the glory of God will be seen upon you, divine answers to your prayer, you will enjoy divine guidance and direction. “In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shat be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh” Job 5:20-21(KJV). These and more are the blessings from God when we engage in true fast in line with divine acceptance. Let us therefore show love and compassion in our fast for that is God’s desired true fast.
Prayer: O God my Father, help me to follow your standard of a true fast.
Brother Joel Ezeugo