Reading – Isaiah 58

Highlight Verses:

““No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We just completed a 3 day fast at our church. I know another denomination that calls its members to a 21 day fast at the beginning of each year.

You might ask, “Why?”

I’ve always heard that fasting helps you to regain your focus on God. Removing distractions, whether they be food, social media, TV, or whatever distracts you can lead you to a closer relationship with God.

In the Bible, we also see fasting used to make our prayers more effective, especially in times of great need.

These are both great reasons to fast. But way back in Isaiah’s time, he suggested another reason (or reasons).

According to Isaiah, people of that time were fasting to show off. They fasted to make them look more pious.

All the while, they kept up with their cruel, ungodly attitudes and habits.

I love Isaiah’s suggestion that fasting should be used to share your resources and compassion with others.

Try it.

Try taking what you save from not buying food or skipping that Starbucks stop and invest that money into sponsoring a child or supporting a homeless shelter.

That will not only make a difference in a needy person’s life, but it might just change your life too.

What are some good charities to support to follow this Scripture?
What can you fast from that will save money that you can then give?