Encouragement for Your Week: April 26-May 2
This Week’s Verse
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”
— Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)
Devotion
When we think about "fasting," most of us picture the physical struggle: the growling stomach, the caffeine headache, or the willpower it takes to walk past the breakroom donuts. We do it to quiet our physical cravings so we can finally hear God’s voice. It’s a way of saying, "God, I want you more than I want this meal."
But have you ever felt like you were "doing all the right things"—praying, reading the Bible, maybe even fasting—yet God felt miles away?
In Isaiah’s time, the Israelites were frustrated. They were checking all the boxes. They skipped meals, wore the right clothes, and put on a show of humility. But God wasn't impressed. Why? Because while they were "denying" themselves food, they weren't denying their egos. They were fasting on Sundays and then exploiting their workers or losing their tempers on Mondays.
God saw right through the performance. He told them plainly that a few hours of hunger couldn't mask a lifestyle of selfishness. They were trying to use a spiritual discipline to manipulate Him, hoping a little temporary "piety" would give them a pass to keep acting poorly toward others.
If we want to truly connect with God, we have to look at what He considers a "real" fast. According to Isaiah 58, God isn't just looking for an empty stomach; He’s looking for a transformed heart.
It’s about Justice: To "loose the bonds of wickedness" means looking at our lives and seeing where we are being unfair, unkind, or selfish.
It’s about Freedom: Breaking a "yoke" means stopping the habits or attitudes that weigh other people down.
It’s about Integrity: Jesus echoed this when he called out the religious leaders of his day. They were so careful to give 10% of their tiny spice gardens to God, yet they completely ignored justice, mercy, and faithfulness. (Matthew 23:23)
Fasting is a beautiful tool, but it’s not a magic wand. God doesn't want us to just skip lunch; He wants us to skip the gossip, the pride, and the apathy.
Ask yourself today: Am I more worried about my religious rituals than I am about how I treat the people around me? Authentic faith isn't about how well we perform "sacred" tasks. It’s about letting God’s love break our own chains so we can help others find freedom, too. When our lifestyle aligns with His heart for justice and mercy, that is when our voices are truly heard on high.