God’s Heart For The PoorSample

Set People Free

Sometimes we get caught up in our selfish attempts to do right. In Isaiah 58, the people were caught up in an argument about fasting. They were fasting for selfish motives instead of fasting in accordance for God’s reasons for fasting. In response, God says that if they want to fast, then to fast from oppressing people! Loosen the chains of injustice. Set people free. Meet the needs of those who are in need. This is the kind of fasting God desires.

We do this in our culture too. In our own feeble attempts, we use “religion” as a way to earn favor with God. We go to church, serve on committees, and hold babies in the nursery.

These are all good things, but what God wants is for us to serve selflessly, without expecting anything in return. He wants us to sacrifice. Like He says in these verses, He wants us to eat less so we can share our food with the poor. He wants us to spend less money on clothes so we can give clothes to those who need them. He wants us to open our home to the wanderer. This is one kind of fasting that honors God.