Isaiah 58:6-9: “Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house: when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”
During these 40 days of Lent, we can start focusing on the outward demonstrations of our faith. In this passage from the book of Isaiah, the Lord emphasizes that he is not focused on just fasting for fasting’s sake. He wants the fasting, the praying, the meditating to result in a change of heart. This change of heart will be manifested in how we care for his people. Lent is supposed to be a time of introspection; however, we cannot stay in that place. The introspection is to lead to transformation of our characters and our behaviors. With that transformation, we are to serve those in need; to work for justice; to see people healed and set free, to do the work that Jesus did when he dwelt among us.
When we move into the Lord’s work, we will know his presence and help. How do you see your spiritual disciplines resulting in work for the Kingdom?