# 47 2026 Dev. Isa. 58. “Rejoice in the Lord!” Read all of chapter fifty-eight first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Isaiah 58. “True fasting… then you will find your Joy in the Lord.”
Vs.1-3b. “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet… Declare your rebellion… your sins… day after day you seek me… you are eager…as if they are nation that does what is right…We have fasted, ‘they say…we have humbled ourselves…and you have not noticed.” Is this where we are as a people? Can we ask that question, is anyone fasting while praying today? Fasting is a way to put aside all distraction and concentrate only on prayer!
Vs. 4a-5 The prophet points out their shortcomings as they fast. “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers…you quarrel and you strike each other… You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” Fasting does not make up for how one lives life, but a righteous life compliments your praying and fasting.
Vs. 6-12 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food… provide shelter… to provide clothing… and to not turn away from your own? Then your light will break forth like the dawn…righteousness will go before you…Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I…The Lord will guide you always… satisfy your needs…strengthen your frame.” Our lives have consequences; righteousness, compassion, humility, and service send our prayers up to heaven.
Vs.13-14 Keep the Sabbath, consider it a delight, refrain from going your own way, from gossip “then you will find your joy in the Lord.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
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