“Shout it loud and clear! Don’t hold back! Let your voice be like a trumpet blast! Declare to my people their rebellion and to Jacob’s tribes their sin! 2 Yes, daily they seem to seek me, pretending that they delight to know my ways, as though they were a nation that does what is right and had not rejected the law of their God. They ask me to show them the right way, acting as though they are eager to be close to me. Isaiah 58:1-2

This 58th chapter of Isaiah focuses on the subject of fasting. Fasting is simply denying ourselves something so we can draw closer to God. This can be a powerful spiritual discipline that helps us gain control over our physical appetites and can lead to greater devotion to God. Fasting is about humility and giving ourselves to God not trying to impress Him with our religious effort.

These are all lessons the Israelites have forgotten. They are fasting as the Jews did one day per week but it has fallen to a religious obligation. God calls this rebellion and sin. It is taking our relationship with God and turning it into a practice with no meaning. The people only pretended to be passionate about God. In the same way many attend church today out of tradition or habit rather than a deep desire to worship God.

God is always after truth more than appearances. Just as a married couple can fall into routine and begin to neglect each other. Everything may look fine on the outside but inside the relationship is empty and hollow.

The Good News is God only requires us to be honest and lay down all pretenses. We just come humbly and admit our distractions and need for His love. This is the posture of the heart that pleases God and restores our relationship with Him.