24 Jan Replacement
Read all of Isaiah 58
Fasting brings out the worst in us.
Have you ever noticed how the Holy Spirit, through the words He inspired in the Old and New Testament, does not tiptoe around anyone’s feelings but says what He intends quite bluntly? Such is the case in His instruction on fasting found in Isaiah 58. He first delivers a stern rebuke and then paints a picture of what true fasting looks like. There are striking parallels of replacement between verses 3-4 and verses 6-7 (pardon the paraphrasing).
Instead of strife and debate, loose the bonds of wickedness. Don’t exploit those that report to you but undo their heavy burdens. Hold back the fist of wickedness and let the oppressed go free. Don’t fast in the usual way but share your bread with the hungry. Instead of approaching it as just a day to afflict your soul, use it as an opportunity to bring the poor and outcast into your home. In place of the outward show of piety (bowing your head like a bulrush), do something that shows true humility like covering the needs of someone who lacks. Instead of spreading out on sackcloth and ashes (religious tradition), start a new tradition of reaching out to your own family members. Then these things are promised to you: your light will break forth, you’ll be healed, your righteousness will go before you (your reputation as a Christ follower), the glory of God will have your back. Best of all, the Lord will answer your prayers!
Why should we focus on replacement instead of just going without? Because fasting will cause our flesh to act out like few other things and being intentional about replacement will put it under subjection to the Holy Spirit. Fasting is withholding from self, which causes self to focus even more upon itself! Here’s proof: do you feel like going out of your way and helping others when your blood sugar is crashing and you’re afflicted with caffeine withdrawal headaches? It is unlikely. The best way to tame the beast of our own carnality is to do the opposite of what it wants and to focus deliberately on God and others instead of self.
God allows the worst in us to be revealed during a fast so that we can see ourselves as we really are and choose to replace our selfishness and negativity with His love and service to others. Let’s allow the worst in us to be revealed by the Holy Spirit so Christ’s best in us can reign instead!