FASTING BRINGS GODS BLESSING!
Most of the People think that the God is pleased when we don’t eat and think that this is the way we want to please the God; in fact the God is not Happy when we see needy and poor starving and we are fasting!
Isaiah 58:4-14
What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. [5] You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
We see from the Word of the God in the Isaiah 58:4-5 that the God is not happy with this kind of fasting we do for one day or week! Lets see what the Word of the God says: These people missed the point of a living, vital relationship with God. Likewise, he doesn’t want us acting pious when we have unforgiving sin in our hearts or are performing sinful practices with our hands. Genuine worship involves demonstrating our faith through positive actions, such as showing compassion for those who are poor, helpless, or oppressed.
Isaiah 58:6-12
[6] “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. [7] Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. [8] “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. [9] 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! [10] 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.
We cannot be saved by deeds of service without faith in Christ, but our faith lacks sincerity if it doesn’t prompt us to reach out to others. Fasting can be beneficial spiritually and physically, but even at its best, fasting helps only the person doing it. God says he wants our service to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, generosity, and justice for prisoners, the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, and anyone else in great need. True fasting is more than not eating for a certain time; it also involves preparing ourselves to honor God by applying his Word to our lives.
Isaiah 58:11-12
[11] 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. [12] Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a re-builder of walls and a restorer of homes.
God gives us the motivation and the energy to help others by continually restoring us with the ever-flowing refreshment of his Spirit. Without God’s Spirit in us, helping others can become a chore. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as a river of living water (John 7:37-38). Drink deeply of his Spirit as you do your work, and you will find the inner strength and joy needed to serve others with love.
Isaiah 58:13-14
[13] “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. [14] Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
The day of rest should be observed and regarded not only because keeping the Sabbath is a commandment but also because it is best for us and it honors God. Keeping the Sabbath shows proper respect to God, our creator, who also rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). It also unifies families and sets priorities for them. Our day of rest refreshes us spiritually and physically, providing time when we can gather with others for worship and reflect on God without the stress of our everyday activities