The Fasting that is Not

A couple of days ago, a young lady asked me to explain about fasting.  How timely! I had just been reading Isaiah 58.
So this one is for you, young lady.  

 Isaiah 58: 3b . . . Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?

For those of us who put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to understand the kind of fasting that pleases God.  What better way than to discover what does Not please Him.
Well, according to the verses above, the following stances definitely do not give God any pleasure:
1.  Seeking to gratify self during the period of fasting.
2.  Treating workers poorly or unfairly during the period of fasting.
3.  Engaging in quarrels, arguments and fist-fights.
4.  Being a "drama-mama" and pretending to be all serious and solemn during the period of fasting.   

 Selfishness, injustice, dissension and hypocrisy have no place in our mind and heart during the period of fasting.

  To be continued. . . . 

 Feeling hungry for God's Presence,
Rachel

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