This morning after my morning run, I sat down and read Isaiah 58 in the Message Bible. What a smack between the eyes!

God was telling the people quite a few things about the way they had been fasting. I could totally take this scripture to mean in any area of our life as well. Here is the gyst in a condensed version. I had really nothing to add to it, the chapter spoke SO LOUDLY all by itself!

——

*We’re so busy, busy, busy with worship and studying about God, and we look right on the outside, but at the same time we complain.
*We ask God why He doesn’t notice all the good we ARE doing

God says:

The point of your fasting days is totally off. You appear to do right, but then you fight and bicker. You show off your “humility.” I’m not interested in that kind of fasting.

Why don’t you:

*Break the chains of injustice
*Get rid of exploitation in the workplace
*Free the oppressed
*Cancel debts
*Share your food with the hungry
*Invite homeless into your homes
*Clothe the ones who are cold
*BEING AVAILABLE TO YOUR OWN FAMILIES

Do this, and your lives will turn around, your righteousness will pave the way.

When you pray, God WILL answer.

You ask for help, and I’ll say ‘Here I am.’

*Stop with unfair practices
*Stop blaming victims
*Quit gossiping about OTHER PEOPLE’S SINS

Start giving yourselves down and out, and your life will begin to glow in darkness. I will always show you where to go.

You’ll use the old rubble of your past to build anew. New Foundations will be built from your past.

If you live the Sabbath, and REST (honor it by refusing ‘business as usual’, making money, running here and there), then you can truly enjoy God.