A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (August 6, 2015)
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? (Isaiah 58:6)
One of the great things about the Book of Isaiah is that it reveals the heart of God probably better than any other Book in the Bible. Isaiah 58 is one such chapter that is very applicable to us today. Let’s look at what Isaiah prophesied about God’s heart and His action steps to personal and corporate success which are already laid out for us to follow:
1. There must be an outreach to the less fortunate
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7)
2. There will be great rewards for following this path
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward (rear guard). Then shall thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:8-9)
In simpler terms, you will begin to shine (in stature and reputation), your health will improve (physically, financially and spiritually), your reputation of doing good will become a free advertisement to thousands, and God will have your back and be on call 24/7.
3. There are several pitfalls to avoid
If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water. whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:9-11)
In simpler terms, we have to take care of (repent) of our own personal sins, and we have to stop pointing the finger at others. Pointing the finger means using any type of cruel words, slander, or inflammatory speech. The Bible tells us that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. That is all we need! If we will stick with sharing our testimony and honoring God with our words and actions then He will take care of the rest. We do not have to point out where everybody else is going wrong. Remember, it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4).
God wants us to be wildly successful and He has laid out a plan for us to follow if we will just do it. Will there be opposition? Always! But God said he would have our back if we would just follow His path.
ARISE, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1-2)
