Isa 58

Devotion 1 of 1: Isa 58

This chapter can be called the Fast Chapter of the Bible. Fasting is important because Jesus taught in Matt 17:21, “…this kind (of demon) only goes out by prayer and fasting.” In the same way, some problems we face in life can only be solved by adding fasting to our prayer. But concerning fasting, there is the right way to do it and the wrong way. This chapter teaches some characteristics of both.
1st, what is wrong fasting? It is found in v.3, 4 and 5, but let’s just look at v.4a:
Wrong fasting is “to fast for strife and debate, or with the fist of wickedness…” In other words, wrong fasting is to fast, or desire something strongly enough, to strive and argue and even fist-fight for it! This is fasting for fleshly reasons, and God doesn’t approve of it!
By contrast, right fasting is found in v.6, 7, 9, 10 and 13, but let’s just look at v.6:
Right fasting is “to loose bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free and break every yoke.” In other words, fasting is about helping people to gain freedom from sins and heavy burdens. When we fast for these reasons, God is pleased.
When we do right fasting, we will see results found in v.8, 9,11, 12 and 14, but let’s just look at v.8:
God says, “Our light shall break forth like the morning; our healing shall spring forth speedily; our righteousness shall go before us; the glory of the Lord shall be our rear guard.” Wow! God will pour out light, healing, righteousness and his glory upon us! Let’s learn how to do fasting the right way!

2 THES 1: Free sharing!
Chapters 1 and 2 are very important in endtime teaching because they speak about very important topics, like Jesus’ 2nd coming (v.7), vengeance on unbelievers (v.8), eternal destruction upon the disobedient (v.9), the rapture (2:1), falling away (2:3), antichrist (2:3), and Jesus destroying AC (2:8)!
In chapter 1, I was drawn to v.4-6, speaking about Christians enduring persecutions and tribulations. We may not like these, but v.5 says they will be the evidence of God’s righteous judgment! And furthermore, it says suffering will make us counted as worthy of the kingdom of God!
We think God’s love will cause him to protect us from persecution and suffering, but it’s the opposite! It’s God’s righteous judgment that will cause us to receive persecution and suffering. And the purpose will be to make us worthy of his kingdom! Let’s grow more mature so we can understand this Scripture!