Bible Notes: 10-19-2009

Isaiah 57:16-21

16 For I will not accuse [you] forever, and I will not always be angry; for then the spirit would grow weak before Me, even the breath [of man], which I have made. 17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry, so I struck him; I was angry and hid; but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart. 18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and comfort him and his mourners, 19 creating words of praise." The LORD says, "Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him. 20 But the wicked are like the storm tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waters churn up mire and muck. 21 There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.

Even when God is mad, He still cares for us. Most of the time when I think of God being mad, I think of the Flood or Sodom and Gomorrah. TImes when He totally destroyed what made Him mad. But that is only the case for the wicked, there is no peace for them. For the righteous, those of us who have repented of our sin and are seeking to server God, He gives us healing and peace. That is a very reassuring thing, because I have done things that I am sure made God angry with me. Isaiah 58:6-7

6 Isn't the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh [and blood]?

Every time I have heard a sermon on fasting, it's always been about how fasting is a way to deny your flesh and focus on God. That's true, but these verses bring another dimension to it. It sounds to me like we are supposed to give the food we fast to those who need it. So fasting will break the chains of sin in your life, and help the needy. I hope I remember this when I fast. It's totally awesome that we can deliver two blows to the Enemy with one action! :D Oh, and I have seen this in action, though I don't think many of the people realized that this is what they were doing. My church, Willamette Christian Center, recently a bunch of people agreed to give the money they normally spend on specialty drinks like espresso, to a ministry that drills wells in Africa. In other words, they fasted specialty drinks, and gave what they fasted away. If I hadn't been sick, I would have joined them.

Submitted by david.reagan on