Weekend Wrap-up
Theme of the Week: No Strings Attached
Saturday, April 12, 2008
 1 of 1
This passage is part of a larger section in which the prophet Isaiah deals with true and false worship. He tells the Israelites that God is unimpressed with their fasting because they remain self-centered and even take advantage of others. Instead, he lays out those actions that will please God, and the positive results they will produce. Interact with God's Word
Isaiah 58:6-12
- What actions (vv. 6, 9b) does God condemn?
- Could the public today see believers as guilty of similar failures?
- What kinds of people (vv. 7, 10) are we urged to help?
- How are we tempted to justify withholding aid from the homeless, those on welfare, and ne'er-do-well relations?
- What does God promise (v. 8) to those who operate selflessly?
- What benefits (v. 10) will your compassion bring to others?
- What benefits (vv. 9, 11-12) will bounce back on the giver?
Spend Time in Prayer
Ask God for a heart with a passion for justice, and one that delights in reaching out to others with kindness, charity, and generosity. Isaiah 58:6-12
6 "No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 "Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.
"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Help me, Lord, to model the gospel so caringly that people will demand an explanation.
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