The reading for today is Isaiah 58:1-9. God is speaking to the people and talks about how they seek out God and desire His blessing.
But then the people complain and ask,
God gives them an answer they neither expected nor wanted.
It is so common and easy for us to behave just like the people of Isreal as described in Isaiah 58. We readily attend church services where we sing and "worship" God. Through our songs we declare our undying devotion to God. Then we leave "church" and essentially ignore God's desires and directives to us.
May my life be consistent with what I declare in the safety of the sanctuary.
"They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them."
But then the people complain and ask,
'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'
God gives them an answer they neither expected nor wanted.
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
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.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
It is so common and easy for us to behave just like the people of Isreal as described in Isaiah 58. We readily attend church services where we sing and "worship" God. Through our songs we declare our undying devotion to God. Then we leave "church" and essentially ignore God's desires and directives to us.
May my life be consistent with what I declare in the safety of the sanctuary.
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