Purposes & Results of Fasting Isaiah 58:5-8

Isaiah 58:5-8 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Purpose #1: “For people to humble themselves” (verse 5) ➩ To humble ourselves before God!

Purpose #2: To “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke” (verse 6) ➩ To release people from unfair circumstances and unjust surroundings!

Purpose #3: To “set the oppressed free and break every yoke” (verse 6) ➩ To set free those bound by sin, Satan, and the world system!

Purpose #4: To “share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter” (verse 7) ➩ To meet humanitarian needs!

Result #1: So that “your light will break forth like the dawn” (verse 8) ➩ For insight in making important decisions or solving difficult problems!

Result #2: So that “your healing will quickly appear” (verse 8) ➩ For health and healing!

Result #3: So that “your righteousness will go before you” (verse 8) ➩ For spiritual influence and breakthroughs!

Result #4: So that “the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard” (verse 8) ➩ For God’s protection on your path and from your past!

Every prayer we make, every step of faith we take, every fasting and prayer time we do sincerely before God – has a domino chain reaction!