Day 18: Go Out to Do Good

Come Before Him in Worship: Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise!! Exalt the Lord through an outward expression of praise such as lifting your hands, singing a song, declaring your thanks, or even lifting a shout of praise to him. Next, exalt him inwardly by surrendering your heart and mind to his Lordship afresh.

Reflect: These verses address the outward righteousness of the people in Isaiah’s day, as they went to the temple, obeyed God’s laws, and fasted. But the Lord, who sees the heart, is not impressed with the external trappings of religious rituals. Isaiah’s point is that fasting as an outward expression of piety is of far less concern to God than a righteous lifestyle with sincerity of heart and worship. True righteousness will be shown by our commitment to justice and to helping the poor and oppressed, not by fasting insincerely. As we go out to do good, his concerns should be our own. When we seek his kingdom first, our light will break forth like the dawn, our healing shall spring up speedily and the glory of the Lord shall be our rear guard!

Respond in Prayer: Father, has anyone or anything taken your place on the throne of my heart? Lord, my desire is to see you rightly and worship you from a pure heart. Grant me a heart of worship that is unclouded by religion. You are a refining fire who longs to purify me. Come cleanse me from every lie that seeks to keep me in bondage to works, and give me your heart and eyes for the needs around me that you would have me meet. Set me free to love as you do.