A few days ago, I was asked how many teachings I’ve done.  I said “over 2,000.”  The next day in the early morning. . .I started counting and realized  it’s over 3,000 teachings in various forms.

I’ve taught about or mentioned fasting in less than ten of these messages.  So it was with great interest ‘of what the Lord would do’ when I was directed to discuss the kind of fast He is after.

In Isaiah we are given some specific information on how, when and what.

Isaiah 58:6-9 in the Message Bible says:

“This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.  What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.  Your righteousness will pave your way.  The God of glory will secure your passage.  Then when you pray, God will answer.  You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'”