Sunday, March 29

It was our last "Winter Worship" service in the fellowship hall and the Spirit's richness continued in a very mighty way. It was as if He wrapped us in His arms and brought both comfort and encouragement to all, regulars and guests alike.

The Vision Continued

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6).

Introduction

I wanted to draw attention to that part of our vision which spoke to fasting on Fridays. I shared with you that I had planned on being in the prayer room for those 12 hours and that the last three would consist of our regular prayer meeting. This past Friday, in my second 12 hour stint, I understood one reason why the Lord has laid that particular practice on my heart at this time.

Bob Sorge writes in the Secrets of the Secret Place, "his presence is the place of change" and says "distancing ourselves from God always produces spiritual regression; proximity to God always produces spiritual progression." He continues by saying, "sin is like a cancer; God's presence is like radiation on that cancer." Thus, I came to the conclusion that my time spent in his presence on these particular Fridays work to purge me of those things that are unpleasant to the Lord.

I understand that not everyone has the luxury to spend 12 straight hours in his presence, but as I said on our blog, do what you can and God will bless you for it. Regardless if its 12 hours or two we must always remember that, many times, the effects of that presence (like radiation) are always delayed.

Similarly when we fast many people want deliverance quickly, but that too is not always the case. Many people think, or rather they hope, a short fast and prayer would strip away addictions or sinful habits that may have been ingrained for decades in their lives. And while the Lord can and does deliver people instantly, other times He delivers over a period of time. Remember the words of Wisdom, "An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end" (Proverbs 20:21). And our desired is to have a blessed finish!

As chosen by the Lord

Under the Old Covenant there was, initially, only one command to fast and that was on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16:29, 31). It was only after the fall of Jerusalem that more fast days were instituted. But to the Jews these fast days were known as "the fasting of the heart" and the same must be true for us. It cannot be merely an external show; rather, it must be an internal unction based in our hearts and propels us to pray, as prayer puts us in the presence of God.

God's purpose in commanding men to fast

1. To lead us to prayer (ver. 4), prayer so real that our voices are "heard on high," that God will hear and answer;
   
   
2. To aid us in realizing communion with Him (ver. 9); that His voice be heard by us as truly as ours by Him;
   
3. To aid in repressing self in all its forms.
   

The nature of true abstinence

1. Personally
   
   1. To loose bands of wickedness;
      
      1. address those things that are very wrong in our lives
         
      2. sin versus iniquity (blatant versus subtle)—habitual lying, stealing, cursing, and hatred; whereas, the iniquities are the hidden faults that we don't see, the wicked residue of our fallen nature, subtle areas such as pride, rebellion, unbelief, selfishness, ambition, and covetousness.
         
   2. To undo straps of yokes;
      
      1. To ease the burden (Gal. 6:2) of your challenge (calling)
         
   3. To send out the oppressed ones free;
      
      1. Be free in your spirit during the heavy times
         
   4. To pull off every yoke
      
      1. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with a joke of bondage" (5:1). Paul was specifically addressing false doctrines that put heavyweights on people to keep various aspects of the law of Moses that Jesus had the field by his death and resurrection. To us it means to live not legalistically but in liberty, not in cheap grace but costly grace.
         
2. For Others
   
   1. To loose their bands of wickedness;
      
      1. Pray sick of sin
         
      2. Desire to serve the Lord
         
      3. Against the god of this world who has blinded their eyes
         
   2. To unto their burdens;
      
      1. That they would realize there is One who can ease their burden of sin
         
   3. To send out the oppressed ones free
      
      1. Deliverance and/or its starting spot would be realized in our services
         
   4. To break their yokes—their habits that enslaves
      
      1. To set them free from the sin that enslaves
         

The result

1. "Light," i.e., blessing, would break forth;
   
2. Recovery from all national ailments would speedily spring forth;
   
3. Righteousness would be their vanguard, and God himself their rear guard. This means that they would have protection in their walk;
   
4. God would listen to any cry from them (58:8–9a);
   
5. God would guide them; provide for them; give them strength;
   
6. They would be able to rebuild on the ancient foundations the building which had fallen to ruins;
   
7. Because their efforts would bring such blessing, those who led in this spiritual renewal would gain fame among their brethren. They would be known as the "repairer of the breach" (58:10b–12)