Well, in the words of the old Starship pop song, We built this city (on rock and roll). Those lyrics rolled through my mind this morning as I read Isaiah 58 and especially Isaiah 58:12 about rebuilding the cities.

Starship built their city on show stopping/attention getting lyrics—on rock and roll. One of the lyric lines states, “Say you don’t know me or recognize my face.”

After having been in the hospital for a couple weeks, unable to eat (it was sort of a forced fast), I began to think about what real fasting for the right reasons would look like. I think we often forget to recognize God’s face in our sacrifices—we forget it’s not about us, what we’re doing, or by simply giving up.

In Isaiah 58:1-14, God is telling the people he doesn’t want the kind of fasting and sacrifice they offered . . . He wants our lives to be living sacrifices. He goes on to tell them how . . .

I would recommend you read the entire chapter for context but starting in Isaiah 58:6 it says:

“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. 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.” (A side note: That last one is a tough command, for relatives can be a tricky subject!)

“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. 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.” (Again, my own note: Sometimes people go to church and tithe on Sunday and then gossip about the preacher or Betty’s Sue’s low neck line in church on the ride home! Stop that!).

“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. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dryand restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 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.”

What’s your personal “city?” Is it your marriage? Your relationship with your children? Your employee/employer relationships? Your church service? Your body/health? Your neighbors relationship? Your finances? Are they honoring the Lord? Do you spend more on cable TV or meals to hungry kids in your city? Is your new car payment more than what you could give to help someone who lost their job in your town?

I’m asking myself these questions too. You know, we’re in this together! I’m going to evaluate what it means to be a living sacrifice. God tells us how He wants us to serve Him and how to fast in a way that pleases Him.

Let’s Build this City . . . on The Rock!  —submitted by Kathy Lonsinger, Speaker and Founder A Gentle Answer Ministries