"Genuine Fasting" (Isaiah 58:1-12)

Genuine Fasting 

Isaiah 58:1-12

During Lent, many people fast for 40 days. These days there are many kinds of fasting. However, many people misunderstand what the true fasting means.
There is real fasting and misplaced fasting.

Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.

Isaiah 58:2-3 ESV

True fasting is about emptying yourself. Some Christians believe that more suffering is more glorifying to God. Fasting is not about suffering or experiencing pain. 

True fasting is about emptying ourselves and our desires. Coming before God in fasting is good when we lay down our desires and greed before God. 

To fast to satisfy our religious desires or obligations is not true fasting. It is misplaced fasting.

The same is true when people fast to gain blessings or satisfy their desires.  

We might have to sacrifice our own comfort or desires. This is something Christians need to do, but to suffer needlessly is not what God wants us to do.

 Once we empty ourselves of our desires and fill up with Jesus, we can experience God more. 

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:6 ESV

Verse 6 tells us what God wants a fast to be. Living our life as best as we can live is what genuine fasting is about. Our daily life should be like this. 

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isaiah 58:7 ESV

Verse 7 tells us that we should love our neighbor as well. We need to share either those who are in need. We have to share what we have. We cannot turn away from our own family. We need to take care of our family and not sacrifice them. Loving our family is as important as loving the church.  

Fasting should not be used to fulfill religious duties. Use fasting to practice emptying ourselves by laying down our thoughts, desires, logic before God and fill ourselves with love of God and practice it then God will listen to you. This is what will happen after true fasting.

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

Isaiah 58:8-9 ESV

2023-02-26 Worship Songs

Hosanna 호산나

Amazing Grace -My Chains Are Gone 나 같은 죄인 살리신

Lord I Lift Your Name On High 주의 이름 높이며