Scripture Reading For Today — Isaiah 58:1-7
Today’s bible passage begins with a message from God through the Prophet Isaiah to the Israelites. This message was an indictment couched in a rebuke,
that addressed some questions that the people had previously asked of God.
They had queried God —
“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’”
Isaiah 58:3 NKJV
It would appear that the people, having gone through a period of fasting and praying, were disappointed that their expectations had not been met by God,
who they were now accusing of neglect and lack of concern for their plight.
Have you ever been in that place yourself?
When you’ve gone through a period of fasting, praying and actively believing God for answers to your prayers that are disappointingly not forthcoming?
When it seemed like the heavens were like brass and the earth was like iron?
They sought God daily, they approached Him in faith and with expectant hearts, they sought to know His ways and know His mind and His will.
They had done all the right things, but unfortunately, they had neglected to also do the needful things!
Listen to what God said in response to their queries —
“Yes though you have been dutiful in your attitude towards me and also in how you have carried yourself in relation to the sacrifice of your fasting, but where you have failed is in your attitude towards others!
I’m not just looking for you to deprive yourself of food or afflict your soul with suffering and sacrifice; that’s not what I call an acceptable fasting!
You have dealt unfairly with your workers, you have spent your time in needless bickerings, you have neglected to liberate and break the yoke of the oppressed and failed to share your bread with the hungry. You did not cover the naked, neither have you sheltered the homeless. You have wickedly turned your eyes away from those that needed your help!”
Please consider this — Could God be saying the same thing about you right now?
Prayer Focus
Spend some time in prayers today as you wait on the Lord, and ask Him to show you how He wants you to respond to today’s message during this period of
fasting and prayers.
This may be the missing link in the breakthrough that you’ve been praying and believing God for!
Selah,
Pastor Wale Ola