Like The Dawn

Is not this 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? 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? 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.

-- Isaiah 58:6-8

I have spent the better part of last 26 years struggling with walking into the Light of God's way on a daily basis. My expression of Christianity has taking me down mystical roads, to places of revival and renewal, to some of the giants of Christian thought and fame, to the down & out homeless people in the inner city. I have been involved in the music industry, the film business, the digital media production world, global advertising, and even travelled to some of the remotest places on the planet and still I am not satisfied that God is finished with me.

As the dawn breaks forth this morning, I am struck with two very distinct voices -- complimentary voices (not the classic angel vs. devil gambit as the two argue into my ears trying to get me to resist and/or succumb). The voices are from dear friends who are on the field, working the field of souls, making a difference. In both cases, the above verses from Isaiah 58 have been invoked. In both cases I have found myself weeping before the Lord asking for a breakthrough.

Now, in my own weakness and vulnerable state, I am drawn to the contrast that Isaiah articulates so well. The people hold up their righteousness (which is like filthy rags before a holy God) and complain -- "Gee whiz, God! We fast and you don't listen. What's up with that?"

The LORD rhetorically asks (v. 5) "Is this what fasting really is all about? One day here and there. Certain motions. Special postures. Just the routine, the legalism, the same old same old with no life change, no heart change?"

The LORD then asks (v.6) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen..." which really means, this IS what the LORD is talking about.

• to loose the chains of injustice
• to untie the cords of the yoke
• to set the oppressed free
• to break every yoke
• to share your food with the hungry
• to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
• when you see the naked, to clothe him
• to turn away from your own flesh and blood

It doesn't come with a statute of limitations, a season (like Lent) to do this stuff. It appears to be a lifestyle, a day in-day out approach. A holy calling, not optional, not convenient, not even remotely possible unless the LORD Himself rises up and gives you the strength, the wisdom, the insight, etc. to accomplish this.

Live Simply So Others Might Simply Live

It's hard to do Isaiah 58:6,7 in this life. Even believers will quickly quote the words of Jesus - "the poor will always be poor" and encourage you to give more to the church building fund than to the local homeless shelter. Don't get me wrong, this is very crux of the matter. The choice isn't always simple. But it is mandatory that we think and pray and work this out as individuals. It is part of the struggle I have walked through the last 26 years.

But clearly, when we honor the LORD with the fasting He has ordained (chosen) then blessing will come. It will be as light, as healing, as righteousness, as protection. That's what I see in the lives of these two friends. They are doing great exploits for God and really can't tell anybody about it. They're not on Headline News or The 700 Club. They are God's underground workers, fleshing out the true fast of Isaiah 58:6,7.

They are my heroes!

Selah