Scripture:
Isaiah 58:6-12 NKJV
[6] “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? [7] 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? [8] Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, [10] If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. [11] The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. [12] Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
Observation:
Over the last 51 years, the LORD has been shaping and molding me for this time right here. It’s something I can feel in my soul. The wide range of life experiences and many different positions in life that HE has placed me in have brought about a fire that has not consumed me, even though at times I thought it was. Instead, it has refined me to burn with a love for others that has to come out in one form or another. As I got the opportunity to read these verses here in Isaiah this morning, that fire was fanned a little more. Now, it feels like it’s burning bright enough to go even harder. Isaiah was a prophet whom GOD used to not only tell about the coming of HIS son but also to correct HIS chosen people as well. You can see that here in these verses. But more importantly than that, you can see a prophecy here as well if you are paying attention. I’m not trying to dive too deep because the bible is so multi-layered. GOD had called for a fast that loosed the bounds of the wicked, undid heavy burdens, freed the oppressed, and broke the yoke of the law. As he moved on with his proclamation of what the LORD had for him to say. Isaiah starts to mention using the resources that the LORD had given HIS chosen people to make a difference. I want us to notice what is said in verse 7, ” Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring the poor to your house, when you see the naked that you clothe them, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? What Isaiah is saying is that the LORD had provided well for HIS people. Yet all around them were people in need. People who were going hungry. Oppressed by all kinds of issues and the ones that had the ability to do something about it were sitting on their hands. So the LORD called for a fast. That would open up their spiritual eyes and allow them to see the needs of those around them. As they took the resources that were provided by the LORD and met the needs of those who were struggling, their light would shine through the community like the morning sun through your window. I love the phrase in verse 8, ” Your healing will spring forth speedily.” The spiritual, mental, and physical healing that takes place when you put others before yourself happens so fast that you may be somewhat overwhelmed by it. Let’s take a look at verse 9 because I believe it’s something we all want to hear. “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and HE will say, “I AM” here. If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of fingers, and speaking wickedness.” I’m just going to say that it’s hard not to bust into the application process here. The Holy Spirit is screaming at me. Isaiah is saying that when you consider others the LORD, hears you and answers you. When you stop pointing fingers and blaming. Stop trying to figure out who is to blame and just meet the need. Looking at verse 10 is so eye-opening. It talks about compassion and understanding rather than judgment. It speaks of being a light of grace rather than a judgmental Pharisee. Moving on to verses 11 and 12 due to time restraints. Isaiah is saying that the LORD will be their guide and take care of them in times when no one has anything. Being watered in time of drought being known as someone who fixes problems and doesn’t compound them.
Application:
I feel like I could talk about this all day long. I know what it’s like to go hungry, and I know what it’s like to see the LORD provided through the hands of someone I have never met. Someone who heard HIS voice and found a way to meet a need. At one point, I was homeless in Tacoma, Washington. It’s a big rough city to be homeless in. I remember the times when churches that had a desire to do GOD’S work loved their neighbors by setting up right on the sidewalk in front of a big parking lot to feed those who had no means to feed themselves. Those bound by oppression and drug addiction. Those moments of love that were shown are all part of how the LORD drew me to HIM. The compassion in the eyes of those people who didn’t even know me but wanted to make sure I had something to eat took bricks down from around the wall I had built around my heart. They were the light of GOD’S love. They didn’t make excuses or point fingers. They just went and made this disciple. They showed me how, and it didn’t take much. A few fish some bread and a willing heart. As most of you know, I don’t live in Tacoma anymore, and I have no idea where those who fed me in my time of need are. But I do know this the love they showed to someone they had never met showed me how to love like Jesus. I don’t know their names and will more than likely never see them again unless, for some reason, GOD sees fit. But it changed my life. The whole time, HE was drawing me to HIM. Healing my spiritual illness. Repairing the bridges that I had burned to the ground. It was all part of GOD’S master plan to bring us to this moment. They used the resources they had to do something about a problem they saw. This SOAP is my resource, and I see a problem. People are going hungry. They have no place to stay. This is not the government’s problem it’s the churches. We just had the opportunity to read that in the scripture this morning. This is our opportunity to do something about it. To use the resources GOD has blessed us with to love our neighbors. I don’t have much but everything I have is his and I want to use it to take bricks down from the wall that have been built around the hearts of those I see in the town that HE has placed me in. I believe I have a spirit-led ministry that can make a difference. If you want to build HIS kingdom and know me, talk to me so we can put this together. If you don’t have time, I understand. But your resources are needed to draw people to the LORD. Everything you have HE gave you. It’s time to give back.
Prayer:
Father, you know our hearts, and only you can take what has been written this morning and use it for its intended purpose. You are the author and finisher of our faith. You know what we have and what we don’t have. What we can use and what we should hold on to. I want to just give it all to you. It’s better in your hands than mine. Help us to have a heart for those who are struggling, who may not know where the next meal is coming from or where they can sleep, and be safe. We want the light you have placed inside us to shine in the darkness. To shine in the parks and alleyways where the homeless find a place to sleep. Give us compassion for others that will move us to do something about the issues we see. You have built a church. One that will put a flag in the ground right at the gate of hell and make a stand. One that says you can not have my brother anymore, let go of my sister, your days of oppression and bondage are over. Not set those captives free. In the mighty name of Jesus. Move our hearts, LORD. Move them to put our faith into action. Move them to a point that will not stand down and run but stand up and fight. It’s in your sons, holy name I pray amen.