Our Country Renewed

There has been a lot of talk concerning change from both political camps. Some are saying "yes we can" and looking positively toward the possible changes that might be coming our way and some are saying "no way Jose" and are fearful of those same changes.

During my study for next week's ONE80 message I came across this passage in Isaiah 58 that struck a chord in my heart. It describes a people who have been fasting for God to move, people who have been praying for what is "right" and for God to bring good decisions. Then when the day comes people feel as if God has not noticed; that during that prayer and fasting they were not showing love or seeking justice and compassion.

And then God says, "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?" (vv. 6-7)

Then God tells us the results of this kind of fast, a fast of action, of love for the poor and of compassion. "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. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." (vv. 8-12)

That we would be a people who don't just pray and politic but act in love and compassion. That we would care more about the love and compassion we are showing than being "right" and forcing others into our view of "right" instead being the people God has called us to be. Then our light will rise in the darkness, then our needs will be satisfied in a sun-scorched land and we will be like a well-watered garden. Not through principle, not through words, or showing people they are wrong, but by showing them what is right and what is good. And this is what God says is good, "To act JUSTLY, to LOVE MERCY and to WALK HUMBLY with your God."

Have we been living out this kind of fast? Have we been doing what is truly good?