Day Three: Isaiah 58:6-12

Last year during my Daniel Fast, I led a much smaller group of people through the book of Daniel since many wanted to learn more about the namesake of what they were doing. If you want to do that, you can read those posts from the Daniel Fast link on the right. But midway, I turned to this chapter and spent two days on it, just like today. Even though I like looking back and reading where I was then, I marvel at the changes God has made in me since that time. 


When I read this passage again today, I am just brought to tears seeing the fabulous ways God has led me through 2009 because of starting my year off with a focused time of fasting. This closing paragraph from last year is not only what I still pray to see God do in my life this year, but also a testament to what I've seen Him do already in 2009: 


Do we want our righteousness to go before us in a powerful, protective way? Do we want to know God's glory's got our back? Do we want to hear His clear answer when we call? Then we must do what it takes. Not just fast and go on about our own lives. We've got to pour out our lives as an offering to Him and do what He did when He walked the earth. Reach out to the poor, the sick, the suffering, the outcasts.


Today I will pray that God leads each and every one of us to the specific works God has prepared for us to do to care for the poor. As we experience physical hunger and discomfort, I ask that God will use it to permanently alter how we see those in the world that are lost and broken. I pray that God will use this time to empty us of all that is "us," and fill us with all that is Him.