“Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and 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.’”. (Isaiah 58:6-9)
As those of you who are given to do so enter into this season of “Lent” may you consider that the Lord’s word given to the prophet in the verses above pertained to a lifestyle of obedience and serving others rather than a season of service, concern, compassion and pursuit of godliness.
May the words of the Lord given through the prophet Zechariah give us all pause as we consider our lives before Him:
“When you fasted…did you really fast for Me—for Me?” (Zechariah 7:5)
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