So, on your day of fasting, praying, or doing good deeds, how do you behave? Do you still utter bad language or anger out of the same lips you use to praise our Almighty God? Do you exploit your workers, friends, and family? On your day of fasting/Sabbath are you still finding yourself in frustration and quarreling?
Do you think that God has only chosen 1 day for us to humble ourselves before the Lord? Have you ever thought or expect that whatever we 'offer' to God is acceptable?
Many times we make 'Sabbath' an opportunity to prove to others or ourselves how 'holy and righteous' we are. This is NOT the Sabbath that God has designed. In Isaiah 58:6-9 God directly, without any hidden language, tells us what would happen to us when our hearts truly reflect the heart of God. When our hearts and minds truly align with God's heart and mind, we are blessed with the things that blesses God and our hearts break for those things that breaks His heart. Worship from the heart in purity and in truth is what pleases God. God's heart breaks for oppression, injustice, hunger, homeless, and the poor. When our hearts break for the poor and seeks opportunity to serve them, our hearts are aligned with God's heart.
Of course, when we talk about faith and deeds, one without the other is meaningless and your confession in the Lord is not genuine. We should walk the talk and talk the walk.
If we can address the needs of the oppressed and poor, God's promises are real.
He said:
"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 water never fail."
If you keep the Sabbath holy and a delight
and honor it by not going your own way,
then you will find your joy in the LORD.
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