In Leviticus 16 we read the Lord’s instructions about the “Day of the Atonement”, which is part of the second group of feasts the nation had to celebrate every year.

“For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. ...you shall afflict your souls...” This “afflicting of the souls” was a day of fasting for the entire nation – afflicting their souls because of their sin while witnessing the rituals of applying the blood of the sacrifice. This feast was part of celebrating the New Year and new opportunities - foreshadowing the new life we have in Christ by accepting total forgiveness by His poured-out blood.

When I “fast” from providing for only my own pleasure, and begin to look at the needs of others, I bring God glory and the fast fulfills its restorative purpose.

In Isaiah 58:3,4 the Lord takes them to task for the way they fasted, despite His clear instructions: “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness.” Clearly this was just a day of celebrating without thinking what God’s intended purpose was by instituting this day.

Verse 6,7 explains what God desires:

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

God clearly desires a changed lifestyle – a caring NOT only for myself, but for all the needy around me, whether in bonds of sin, oppression, hunger, homeless or naked. When I “fast” from providing for only my own pleasure, and begin to look at the needs of others, I bring God glory and the fast fulfills its restorative purpose. Then verse 11 is possible: “You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes during this fast to see the needs of many around me and help me extend a hand of freedom, help, provision to others – all in thanks for what I have received freely from You.

-This devotion courtesy of Lida Gous