The Wrong Way (verses 3 - 5) - the self centered and selfish way
- Fasting to please ourselves. This could mean many things like; trying to lose weight, trying to impress others, trying to make you feel good about yourself. Our biggest mistake is to look only at what will the fast do for us. Being me focused!
- When we fast and keep on oppressing our workers. When we find our own freedom and forget to invite others into the freedom.
- While fasting (spending time with our Grace Giving God) we keep fighting and arguing. Once again, we are wanting to receive grace but are unwilling to give it.
- False humility and going through religious motions.
The Right Way (verses 6-12)
- Free those that wrongly imprisoned. Many people are living in sin's prisons because of the sins of others (parents, leaders, society). We can go to them and free them by telling them of God's salvation through Christ Jesus.
- Lighten the burden of those who work for you (with you). This can be both physical and spiritual. Physically - we can do some sort of action on the behalf of our coworkers that is above what is normal. It may or should cost us something but it should benefit them and not us. Spiritually - we need to recognize that were put in our jobs to free our coworkers not condemn them. We are to show them how we found freedom so that they can find it as well.
- Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains off of the blind. This means that we are to forgive those that have hurt us or oppressed us. The Bible says - freely you have received freely give. Many of the people that we need to forgive are blind to God's Glory and by our actions we illuminate His glorious plan to them.
- Give food to the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, give clothes to the needy and do not hide from relatives that need help. When we fast we should be reminded of what Christ did for us and be proactive in helping out someone who is worse off then us. This was Christ mission statement found in Luke 4. This what He lived and died for!
“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. 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 rumors! 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. 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. 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." -vs 8-12
What are you wanting to see God do this year? What are we wanting to see God do this year? I'm wanting to see His light shine into the darkness of my generation. I'm wanting some clarity on some issues. I want the guidance of the Lord. I need for my spirit, soul, body and mind to be watered and strengthened. I want to be so full of His Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, meekness and self-control) that I have a spring of living water flowing out from my innermost. I want to be known as a rebuiler of what has been destroyed by sin. I also want to one whom God uses to restore families and peoples belief in the family system.
God's will - done God's way - has Gods provision.
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