True Religion

Isaiah 58:6–14

“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. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

The Apostle James reminds us that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (Jam 1:27).” The Living Life writer asks us today, “how sincere is your desire for God? Take some time to examine your heart and actions, and repent if there is any hypocrisy in your life.” True religion comes from the heart knowing what the purpose is behind every ritual, offering, service, mission, and ministry; love for and humility before God. It is grasping the meaning wrapped in our beautiful hymns and genuine communion with God and connection with our brothers and sisters. The LORD also warned His disciples and this serves as a reminder to us: "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get (Matt 6:16).” The reward for fasting and prayer is a deeper and a more intimate relationship with God; it starts from within and it develops into truthful outworking of service, seeking justice, and genuine obedience to God’s commands. Let our light then break forth like the dawn, our healing come, and our righteousness ever move before us (v. 8). Let us cling to the promise, that when we pray and seek God’s face earnestly, “the LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail (v. 11)”, and as we strive to keep His law in love and gratitude for our redemption in Christ, “then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken (v. 14).”