Revival--fasting

We want revival; we plead and fast for people to read their Bibles more, to worship more truly, to witness their faith regularly. But there is a wrong fast and a right fast.

The wrong fast: God speaks to Israel:

'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
(Isaiah 58:3-5)

The people were fasting, but there were no results, no blessings, no change. Why? It is because they would not obey the laws that God had given. Their mouths pled, their eyes shed tears, their bodies ached for revival, but there was none because they would not obey God.

The right fast: God speaks to Israel:

"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? 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? 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. 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, (Isaiah 58:6-9)

See the difference? This is a description of those who are LIVING a life according to God's rules. It is not just clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless. It IS those who are living God's way and this manifests itself by helping others.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (John 15:10-14)

Some of His rules:

10 To do's—do
1. Good to them that hate you (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27)
2. To others what you expect of them (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
3. Violence to no man (Luke 3:14)
4. Good (Luke 6:35; Romans 13:3)
5. This (put God first) and live (Luke 10:28)
6. All to God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23)
7. All things without murmuring and disputing (Philippians 2:14)
8. Those things seen and heard in me—Paul (Philippians 4:9)
9. Your own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
10. Work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5)