Topic: Reward for true fasting.
Bible passage: Isaiah 58:8-14
"Then my favour will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will go with you on every side" (v. 8-GNB).
People always like to engage in activities that will bring profit. Even the Bible asks in Matthew 16:26 'what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and loose his soul?' From our passage today we discover that a lot of profit accrue to those who practice true fasting.
The blessing are such that will distinguish a Christian as the 'blessed of the Lord' and cause the glory of the Lord to be evident in his/her life. Who no like better thing? Luke 14:44, relates the story of a man who spotted a field with a great treasure and sold all he had to buy it. It is actually wisdom to do away with the less to settle for the most. It is high time we do away with hypocrisy in Christianity and begin to worship God truthfully.
The key to true fasting and worship as we read yesterday are self-denial, social responsibility+reaching out to our communities with solutions to their challenges) justice and sincere observance of Sabbath day. When we do our part, God is very ready to reward us in the following ways:
See vs. 8-12: He will grant us favour, good health, healing, strength, presence, salvation, answers to prayers, pleasant surprises, divine guidance, abundant wealth, recovery and restoration.
Note vs 13-14: God expects is to devote our day of worship entirely to Him. We are to observe this day as a mark of respect and act of obedience to Him(Exodus 30:8). We are to disengage from our normal daily routine for a devoted worship that refreshes both the spiritual and the physical body. God will then reward us with joy, honour and establish us in our divine heritage.
Action: Since the essence of fasting is self-denial, those who use sickness to excuse themselves should devise a means to fast. This might bring them healing.
Prayer Points
1. Father give us wisdom to understand what true Sabbath is.
2. We also need divine ability to practice true fasting.
3. Bless us as we fast according to your word.
Family Altar(WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST)
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