Do you really think this will please the Lord?

 Isaiah 58: 1-9a v 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people.”

True and False Worship: They come to the temple every day and seem delighted to learn about me. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.  We have been hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!  It is because you are fasting to please yourselves. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling?   Do you really think this will please the Lord? No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people.” Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call the Lord will answer, “Yes I am here,” He will quickly reply.

Right from the beginning of the bible with Cain and Abel God wants us to give with a loving heart. Here he clearly illustrates those who go through the motions of fasting but continue to fight and quarrel are not the kind of people who He will answer to when they call. As I listened to a talk about homeless women this week, I was shocked that they are mostly over 55-years-old, and that security is required daily at the shelter to provide a safe place for these women to be. That there are 500 places for men and 80 for women!  And it takes time and gentle work to help them move forward to a better place. To trust a broken system and people again. I really felt an immediate calling to help these women and then my grandson was sick and required a day at home, exams loom and I must study, and the Olympic games started! So many distractions! But I believe God was not only talking but shouting about the perils of these homeless women. Please pray this week for God to lead us forward and answer the call He has put in our hearts.

Prayer: Almighty God who has put the needs of others in our hearts, lead us forward to do your will the right way. Amen.