Fasting for Others' Blessings

Scripture:
Is not this 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 them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
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 am I.
Isaiah 58:6-9

Observation: The Lord calls out Israel for their false behaviors, showing that their fasting and praying are done falsely. They seek God, but do so within the context of unchanged and uncaring behavior. They pray and fast, while fighting and wronging others. Instead, God shows them the proper way to appeal to him ... out of their fasting, they are to turn their minds and efforts to love. They should help others, care for the oppressed and downtrodden, give their excess to the poor and hungry. In this way, their righteousness with shine and the Lord will respond.

Application: This is the lesson God is teaching me. I know I am blessed to be a blessing, but I am not doing enough. I need to bless people's lives through their hardships. I am to respond to daily emotional needs, not just give money away. I am to truly care when people struggle, not punish their work. In these ways, I can be a light breaking free.

This is my mission, and it is now my understanding. I struggled with this, and I may still struggle, but I will care for those in my charge. I will be the servant of all. I will do this because I am a slave to Christ, and I am also blessed by the Lord. I have plenty - more than I need - and I will dig into even what I could need to give to others. I will fast to give away. I will take Sabbath to serve stronger. I will delight in the Lord through the recovery of others in body, mind, and spirit.

Prayer: Lord, in my mind I have learned so much. I do wish to be sent back into your mission field. Please send me back. Amen.