Isaiah 58 True Fasting

Isaiah 58:6-7 "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 him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

There's a lot of stigma attached with homeless people, the way they live, speak and behave. Until you will get there speaking with them you will soon realise they are no different from you and me. They have different stories to tell you : no identity cards, no $$ , alcoholics, hang out with prostitutes, slept in brothels, father was worshipping the wrong divinity, partner was doing drugs.

I set off at 7.30pm with a bunch of volunteers from Vinnies and UNSW postgraduate students to Martins Place and the backyard of St Marys Cathedral with expectancy that i will sow a seed into someone's life. That person was David. David is an aboriginal looking guy, well above his 40s' , big man and he seemed to know what time the 2 vinnies vans would be coming to serve food and drinks. Giving away chocolates to him i began to know his story, he was actually taking extra food for 2 elderly women who could not walk and bring back to them. He lived in promiscuity, drugs etc, but as i was listening to him, there was hope in his words. That arouse my attention and i got to know while living a sinful life, he got saved and asked God to come into his life while kneeling next to his bed. He has had enough with his previous life. ''I am the way, the truth and the life , no one comes to God except through me''. I felt compassionate towards this guy at what he went through and the courage he is taking to bring food to those who need more than him. I am so thankful to be able to encourage him stand strong in adversity, minister to him, believing in him and sow into his life. The response i received from him nearly made my heart melt, he called me 'an inspiration' into his life.

When you meet other people's needs, God has promised He will make sure your needs are supplied. If you want to see healing and restoration come to your life, go out and help somebody else get well. The Bible says , 'In times of difficulty trust in the Lord and do good' PSALM 37:1-3. It's not good enough to say ''God i trust you, i know you are going to meet all my needs.'That's tantamount to the farmer not planting any seeds and expecting a fabulous harvest. There are two things we must do in times of trouble. First we must trust in the Lord, and we must go out and do something good. If you need a financial miracle, go and give a little extra in the offering at church, go and buy somebody a cup of coffee. If you are lonely and lacking friends, don't sit at home month after month feeling sorry for yourself. Go to the hospital and find somebody you can cheer up. If you generously take care of others, God will take care of your own needs. If you will focus on giving generously to others, God will make sure your own life is refreshed, even though you must go through a dry , dreary wilderness.

We should constantly be on the lookout for ways that we can be a blessing, not just when our backs are against the wall. We should get up each day looking for ways to help others. If you will do that the Bible says in Isaiah 58:8:''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.''