Isaiah 58:6a — Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens, ...
To undo the heavy burdens, ...
We now move from repenting for our unrighteousness to connecting with His righteousness. Repentance is not simply asking God’s forgiveness but involves a change. Repentance cannot simply be about “turning away from” but must include “turning towards.” We must remember that we do not have an earned righteousness but one that is the result of what Jesus did. So, as we look at righteousness, we must see it partly as the joining together of faith and works. We must see it as the nature, character and heart of God being expressed through us. He has given us His heart and we need to be connecting with it and acting on it.
Another thought as we engage with these verses is to go beyond the obvious. While the Lord is expressing practical action we must not miss out on deeper meanings contained in them. It may be that I/we do not have the ability for direct application but there may be other means by which the heart of God can be expressed. There can be other ways to minister what God is pointing out. Some ideas for doing this will be in the devotionals but we should all be listening to the Holy Spirit speak to us about how we can daily allow His righteousness to be expressed through us.
The “bonds of wickedness” and “heavy burdens” are referred to in many commentaries as unjust bonds. People were using the legal system through contracts and/or high interest to bring others into bondage. People were being tricked through shady deals and left in guilt and shame and the short end of the stick. I may not have people that I’ve bound up through litigation, are there relationships where I am a user? Have I arranged things in a relationship where I win or get the best out of it? Am I fasting for something I can get out of my relationship with God or am I fasting so God can gain the best me?
Another way of looking at the “bonds of wickedness” is the way in which guilt and condemnation have bound people up because of their sin. Jesus recognized this importance when he addressed the lame man’s sin first as his friends lowered him though the roof. When we don’t forgive people, there is a kind of prison we put them in, along with ourselves. Is there anyone I have not forgiven? Do I have vengeance in my heart when Jesus didn’t seek vengeance upon me but died for me? Am I willing to pay the price for someone else’s sin, just like Jesus did for me? I have the ministry of reconciliation and need to freely give what I have received.
Lord, help me to be one who breaks the chains of people’s guilt. May I easily express Your heart of forgiveness. Your righteousness and justice is what I want expressed through my life. All those who were heavily burdened were to come to you and find lightness; may everyone who comes to me find the same. Lord, reveal to me any time I am becoming a user in any relationship, including with You. May I express Your life and liberty to everyone I meet.
[Also meditate on: Ps. 124:7; Matt. 18:15-35; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 6:37, 11:4; John 20:23; Rom. 8:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Gal. 2:20; Jas. 1:19]
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