Fasting and Reflecting

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 (ISAIAH 58:5)?

One of the most celebrated Christian events is here. It’s Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, reflection and remembrance before Holy Week and the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God admonishes those whose objective in fasting fall short of what He is seeking. God’s desire when fasting wasn’t meant to be ritualistic. His desire was for increased spirituality. It should bring the sinner to a place of sincere repentance, repentance that causes change not religious hypocrisy. It’s easy to cover one’s head, put on ashes, or appear somber but God isn’t looking for self-righteous people. No, He’s looking for those who truly recognize their failings and sincerely desire to turn back to God.

“…fasting will loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke (Isaiah 58:6b).”