The Isiah 58 Fast
Kingdom Men, ever wonder how we remain inactive or immobilised when we examine the benefits that will come to us if we take certain actions? One such action is fasting. We may be very familiar with false fast and even what good fast should look like, Matt 6: 16-18, but what are the benefits of fasting, genuine fasting?
GOD OUTLINED HIS PREFERRED FAST
God described through Isaiah to the children of Israel, what a false fast looked like – namely, cheating their labourers, indulging in all sorts of pleasures, strife, quarrels, and the likes (Isaiah 58: 3-4). Interestingly, God also outlined the things that His fast should include and it was from those that the benefits would flow. In opposition to the false fast, God said, “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” (vv. 6-7).
POSITIVELY GREAT
The benefits that follow have connected actions or instructions from God – the consequences are positively great if we do as He tells us. “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind” (v. 8). This all from fasting God’s way? There is even more…” Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumours! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” (vv. 9-10)
“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring” (v.11). When we become such a garden and such a spring, we will be able to continually give to our fellow men fresh offerings of the gifts, talents, and abilities God placed in us before the foundations of the world were formed.
KINGDOM MEN AT THE FRONT OF THE CHARGE
The final few benefits we will highlight are very much needed in our nation today, and Kingdom Men, we are to be at the front of this charge. “Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes” (v.12).
There are some homes in the poorest communities that need rebuilding from the physical dimension. Then there are many “homes” from the perspective of broken families that need rebuilding – plagued with fatherlessness, poverty, separation, disconnection from God, and “shacking-up.”
RESOURCE US WITH HIS WISDOM AND…
Let us fast and ask the Lord to resource us with His wisdom and physical amenities needed to cater to the physical and also the spiritual needs of His people. We have no choice but to rise up, Kingdom Men, and mentor the young men, counsel the older men, and be an example for the young and older women looking on.
Let us seek God in fasting so that the benefits will accrue to us in the form of national transformation from each community to which God sends us. The change needed in this nation starts with us, Kingdom Men. It starts with us as we seek God in fasting with prayer, and reap the benefits of being obedient to God.
Let us rise up, Kingdom Men, and walk in our Godly significance.
Disclaimer: All capitalised instances of “Love” are mine because for me Love is of God, from God – and God is Love.
Botsio is a Christian lecturer, an e-learning administrator, a poet, and a freelance writer.