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Fast Pass

We all have a desire for justice.  We like to see justice served to criminals, for good people to receive their rewards, and we often wish for fair outcomes in our dealings.  But what happens when life's not fair, when bad things happen to good people (or good things thigs to bad people) and no one is giving us any answers?

We all love the stories where great injustices or crimes are committed and all wrongs are made right and those who were powerless come out top.  But life doesn't always work out that way.  Far too often, the 'good guy' doesn't win and the 'bad guys' continue to prevail and advance.  What do we do then?

We stand up.

"Injustice is the unfair treatment of others - especially those in a weaker position - and we have all experienced it in one form or another.  We've been on the receiving end of injustice, and sadly, we also have inflicted injustice on other."  Injustice may be seen in many forms - racism, sexism, religious persecution, bullying, and others.

As Christians - and honestly, just as decent human beings, we are called to stand up for those who are mistreated or face unnecessary evils.  But far too many of us give lip service to God's standard while failing to actually live up to it.

In Isaiah 58, the people were experiencing something similar.  They were fasting and supposedly seeking God.  Verse 3 reads, "Why have we fasted, but you have not seen?  We have denied ourselves, but you haven't noticed."

They were trying so why wasn't God responding to this outward act of self-denial?  Because He could see their heart.  He could see that their temporary behavior was not consistent with the way they truly lived their daily lives.  And they let the physical pain of fasting make them 'hangry' as it says "you fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist" (v4).  The reason they weren't hearing from God - we cannot have a right relationship with God and mistreat others.

"Fasting is all about seeking God, but spiritual disciplines and acts of devotion are meaningless if our actions toward others do not reflect the same devotion.  What's the point of fasting to get closer to God if we are unwilling to obey and do what He calls us to do?"

Ultimately, they were fasting and going to God for a 'yes,' not for His answer.  God wants us to seek Him through authentic relationship, not rigid religion.
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