Day 10 of 21 – No More Games

Scripture:   In the day of your fast you find pleasure… indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness… Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul… Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness… heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:3-6)

Observation:   This whole chapter smacks against the religious understanding of what fasting is and is supposed to be. The point of fasting is not suffering, feeling sorry for ourselves, or making a show. It is not to deny one appetite to feed another. Fleshly fasting is all about us. True godly fasting is about God and others (Matthew 22:36-40).

Application:   For the rest of this fast, let’s move the focus from what we are giving up to what we are giving greater importance. We are giving up food, pleasures, and time so we can focus on serving God and others, studying the Word, and prayer.

Prayer:   Lord, I love You, and I need You. Help me to put You and others first in my life. Show me if there is any area where I have been fasting only to serve myself. Help me to deny myself and follow where You lead. Help me to pray for the needs of others and be the answer to those prayers when possible. Amen.

Worship: