True Fasting
Most of us think fasting is about food. But the prophet Isaiah calls for TRUE fasting. It is to undo injustice and oppression. It is to feed and clothe poor people.
THE PRACTICE
Isaiah 58:6. Is this not 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, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? (NIV translation)
Isaiah 58:7. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (NIV translation)
THE RESULTS
Isaiah 58:8. Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Our own woundedness will heal to the extent that we heal others. We heal to the extent that we heal others. And it is possible for our own healing to happen quickly.
SIMILAR PASSAGES
2 Samuel 21:14. They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer for the land.
Tobit 1:16. In the days of Enemessar, I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry,
Sirach 11:34. Receive a stranger into your house, and he will distract you with brawls, And estrange you from your own.
Matthew 9:13. But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 25:35. for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
Mark 11:4. They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him.
3 John 1:5. Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
CAUTION
Fasting is only for those who are medically capable. Check with your health care provider. Experts say you need to be under the supervision of a doctor during the time of a fast.
SEE ALSO
Bible Verses about Fasting. To fast is to abstain from eating. And possibly drinking. Or to follow a restricted diet. It is a wonderful companion during special times in our lives.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.