Word for the Day July 2
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"Is
this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set
the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer
with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah
58:6,7
The Lord describes the true fast that pleases Him in Isaiah 58:6,7. He
promises a blessing in v.8,9 to all who have the heart He describes in what He considers true fasting. He says, "Then
your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help,
and He will say: Here I am." How can people profess the Lord as Savior and not do what He says? No
one is above Him and He has the final word. The Lord is clear that we are to help the with all of needs of those around
us. He is clear about the kind of heart His servants will have.
Sometimes we have to fruit inspect.
Matthew 7:17,18 Jesus explains it, "..every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Actions are what
proves what is in the heart. The Lord judges the thoughts and intentions of every heart. He is no respector
of persons and it makes no difference how people justify what they do and do not do. The Lord's word is the final authority
and He will receive an account from everyone on the last day as each person stands before Him. Isaiah 29:13 makes it
plain, "The Lord says, 'These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.' " He goes on to say in v. 16,
"You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to Him
who formed it, "He did not make me?" Can the pot say to the potter, "He knows nothing?" Even
if you go to the Lord in prayer, worship, song and praise He knows if your heart is committed to Him!
You
are living in false security, spiritual blindness and deception if you think He does not see the fullness of your heart and
if you truly love Him and follow His precepts. He will have the final word.