Promises to Claim!

Isaiah 58 gives us great insight to fasting.  The first 14 verses should be read, meditated, and prayed over in order that we thoroughly understand the significance  and promises of fasting God's way.

Jack Taylor suggests that good outline for our study may be:

• Man's question to God, "Why have you not honored our fasts?" (vv.1-3)
• God's answer to man, "Your life contradicts your fast" (vv.3-5)
• God's question to man, "Is this the kind of fast I desire?" (v.5)
• God's answer to His own question, "My kind of fast produces genuine godliness and immense blessing" (vv.6-14)

Yesterday we looked at the promises available to us when we fast according to God's principles.  Today we want to continue to examine the promises that we can claim during the right fast.

"The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard."  (Is. 58:8c) This is an amazing promise! As you advance against the kingdom of darkness, you never have to worry about the enemy sneaking up on you from behind.  The glory of God will follow you wherever you go. Your influence will go before you, and the glory of God will be your rear guard.  So, don't fear you are covered with the greatest protection that you could ever imagine.

"Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' " (Is. 58:9) Here is a another great promise to claim as you fast - your prayers will be answered speedily.  It's not that God doesn't want to answer prayer or can't answer it, but there is interference in the spiritual atmosphere that tries to hinder the answer from being received.  Fasting helps smash through the resistance and brings the will of God to earth in the areas that you are praying about.

"Then your light will shine in the dark; your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun." (Is. 58:10) No matter how dark the night that you are facing you will have light, in fact you will be light to the darkness all around you. The darker the night, the brighter your light will shine. There are people all around you who have lost their way in the darkness of this world, but your light will direct them to the Father of Lights.

"The LORD will guide you continually,"   (Is. 58:11) This is one of the most helpful promises in this passage.  We all need direction and guidance, but this suggests that after the fast comes a level of guidance that will be ever with you as you follow Christ.