Isaiah 58:3-4 — ‘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.
God continues the thought from the previous verse moving from self-righteousness to selfishness. The “why” question is asked. What is my motive for fasting? Am I trying to change God and my circumstances or is this about bringing Him glory and changing me?
I must recognize the failing from the time of creation — selfishness. Our culture encourages us to think about self: self-improvement, self-made, self-assured, self-respect, self-worth, self-aware, and self-esteem. While growing in these areas can be good, I must also be conscious of them leading to being self-focused, self-absorbed, and self-serving. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. I must embrace the fullness of God’s love by embodying it by laying down my life and finding His. True love is selfless.
The need to be right or considered right and of having my own way is also selfish. I like to win the argument; even at the expense of God’s righteousness and justice. I can even couch an argument inside religious or seemingly righteous overtones when my true motive is actually to win for my sake and not actually to see God win the other person. I can claim right motives before man, but God looks on the heart with the intensity of His holiness. How easily am I engaged in a debate or argument? How easily do I try to manipulate through intellectual strength, emotional leverage or political savvy?
Lord, we have answered Your call to fast. This is for You and for Your glory. Forgive me where I have selfishly sought Your approval, provision or power. Forgive me where I have tried to manipulate You or others to achieve my goals. Help me to see any root of selfishness within me and by Your grace to remove it. By Your Spirit, which is united with my spirit, bring true humility to my soul so that I might express it through my actions.
[Also meditate on: Prov. 17:14; 18:2; Rom. 12:9-16; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Eph. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 2:20-26; Titus 3:9-11; Jas. 3:13-18]
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