Gregg DeMey 0:08
Good morning friends and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. This is Gregg DeMey and it's Thursday, June 27, it's the season of green and growing things, our spiritual lives included. This Sunday is fifth Sunday serve!
Gregg DeMey 0:21
Today's reading comes from the prophet Isaiah chapter 58, verses 3 through 9. This passage is about the practice of fasting in ancient Israel and I think sometimes the ancient Israelites were impressed with their level of piety (personal suffering through the practice of fasting). Maybe it's a fair analogy that sometimes in modern times, we're maybe a little impressed with ourselves for our level of service or sacrifice of time or finances. Maybe as you hear fasting in this passage (on this fifth Sunday serve), you can substitute in, "our acts of service." Here's what God's Word says:
Gregg DeMey 1:06
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? “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.
Gregg DeMey 2:31
Friends, our God is a God of mercy and kindness to those in need and to the brokenhearted. God is a God of justice - God is keen on addressing the causes that leaves so many people in need and brokenhearted and straightening out those root causes. We are the real church of Jesus Christ when we follow God's lead into both mercy and into justice.
Gregg DeMey 2:58
Let's pray. Oh God, we want to go with you where you are, where you're at work - into the places where people are sick, hurting and broken. Give us boldness and courage. Give us the spirit of service. Give us a listening ear, open heart and a gospel filled mouth. For Jesus sake, amen.
