“Humility is the Focus”
“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?”
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Humility is a powerful character trait. It positions the humble person as one yielding to another, allowing the other to be served. Notice the Lord’s comments here in verse seven (remember, Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the Lord):
- Share food with the hungry
- Provide the poor with shelter
- Clothe the naked
- Don’t turn away your own flesh and blood (family)
When we fast, humility is the characteristic we embrace as we interact with the people around us. Although our culture may not give us unstructured or spontaneous opportunities to provide the poor with shelter or clothe the naked, we can consider the needs of others over our own needs wherever we go. If you choose to go to a homeless shelter and serve, or a food pantry to help out, do it all with a heart of humility and not legalistic obligation. The point is to have a humble heart in denying our selves, our needs, and our luxuries.
Furthermore, we simply humble ourselves before our fellow human and consider his or her needs above our own. Consider the Lord’s initial comments in verses three and four, now see how He further clarifies the point of fasting here in verse seven.
PRAYER:
“Lord, help us be a humble people, serving the needs of others and not doing as we please. Open our eyes to find opportunities to serve those around us, especially our own flesh and blood, in Jesus Name. Amen.”
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