God’s Chosen Fast for His Church
The requirements (The “ifs”) and consequences (The “thens”) of a Godly Fast that release His Light to the World. It also gives His Church a righteous reputation.
The Hebrew for ‘fast’ is to cover the mouth (Strong’s H6685, 6684), which makes it all the more ironic that the prophecy ends with “the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
So God is saying, “Ok while you cover your mouth (and refrain from eating, and wait quietly on Me) let me open My mouth and tell you what I actually want to see (as a result of your fasting and prayer, or any spiritual activity.)” God has a good sense of humour. Sometimes people honour God with their lips but their hearts are far from him. Jesus also preached that people will know us by our fruits, our love for God and each other.
God is never after the religious activity without substance of faith reflecting Jesus Christ.
God is after a changed heart, a renewed mind, a restored soul – a repaired, whole person.
He creates a new wineskin for his wine to fill without bursting and wasting the very reason for any spiritual activity – for us to commune with Jesus and each other while releasing His commission to the world.
Notice how this passage can be divided into two simple categories:
The requirements (The “ifs”) and consequences (The “thens”) of a Godly Fast
Isa 58:5 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?
Isa 58:6 \”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, (Luke 4:18)
And that you break every yoke? (Isa. 10:27; Hosea 11:4)
Isa 58:7 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?
Isa 58:8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, (Isa. 60:1)
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isa 58:9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; (John15:7)
You shall cry, and He will say, \’Here I am.\’
\”If you take away the yoke from your midst, (Matt.11:30)
The pointing of the finger,
and speaking wickedness,
Isa 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul, (heal the broken hearted)
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you continually, (John 16:13)
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (John 4:14)
Isa 58:12 Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
Isa 58:13 \”If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
Isa 58:14 Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.\”
To Summarize the “Ifs” and the consequent “thens”: ( A paraphrased version for today.)
“Ifs” – Aje Version
Untie people bound by sins
Lighten their load
Set em free
break every ox-yoke
share your bread
have people over
clothe the cold
don’t hide your kindness
Thens” – Aje Version
You’ll shine
You’ll feel better & healed
You’ll have a righteous reputation
God’s glory will follow you everywhere
You will ask God and He’ll answer
You’ll yell: “Dad!” and he’ll show up
“Ifs” – Aje Version
Make things easy for others
Stop pointing fingers
Stop talking wickedly
Feel people’s needs and do something about it
Heal the hurting hearts
Thens” – Aje Version
You’ll stand out like a light
Darkness will disappear
God will be your GPS
You’ll have food
Your bones will be strong
You’ll be an oasis
A source of life like a spring
Rubble will turn into buildings
You’ll prepare structures for your children’s children
You’ll fill the gap for others to Jesus
You’ll set up a new spiritual neighbourhood to live in
“Ifs” – Aje Version
Go to Church regularly and
Put God first
Honour God and
Please Him by faith
Say what God says about it
Thens” – Aje Version
Your life with God will be delightful
God will make you ride over mountains and it will be awesome
You’ll inherit faith from your spiritual kinsmen
You get what God is saying
Most of the “ifs” are covered by Jesus Christ within us, the rest are fruits of the Spirit including faithfulness and kindness. Ask Jesus to help you by His Spirit to fulfil the requirements of His Chosen Fast, to shine your light and reach the world you live in this week!