God’s responses to our prayers – Part 7

“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. 14: Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken,” (Is 58:10, 14).

58:1f: True worship was more than religious ritual, going to the temple everyday, fasting and listening to scripture readings. These people missed the point of havinga vital relationship with God. He doesn’t want us acting pious when we have unforgiven sin in our hearts and perform sinful practices with our hands. More important even than correct worship and doctrine is genuine compassion for the poor, the helpless and the oppressed.
58:3: “The day of your fast.” God’s people were complaining that He would not help them. But God knew that their worship and fasting were hypocritical rather than from a pure heart. God tells them that no religious act has any value to Him if it does not come from those who humbly seek to obey His commandments and who compassionately reach out to those in need.

58:6: “Is this not the fast that I have chosen?” The fast that God approves is one accompanied by love for Him and genuine concern for those who are oppressed. Believers must understand that the giving of tithes and offerings to the church does not free them from their responsibility to give to the poor. We should share our food with the hungry and provide clothing for those who have none. We must make a sincere effort to determine the needs of others, especially within our local congregations, and to commit ourselves to helping in whatever way we can (cf. Gal 6:10). The blessings of v. 8 (see next note) are given to those who have the heart of v. 6 and are committed to the course of action in v. 7.

58:8-12: “Then shall thy light break forth.” When there is true love for God and sincere concern for the welfare of others, a channel is opened for God’s full blessing to come into our lives. The rewards for such love are stated here:

• The light of God and the full joy of salvation and healing.
• Protection and presence manifested in our lives.
• God’s help in trouble through answered prayer.
• The lifting of darkness and oppression.
• God’s guidance, strength and fruitfulness.
• True restoration, with the revival of God’s standards and ideals.

James 5:1-6. Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!” (James 5:1)