“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? 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? 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. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: ‘Here am I.’
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58:6-12
“While I was fasting and sitting on a certain mountain, thanking the Lord for everything he had done for me, I saw the shepherd sitting next to me. And he said to me: “Why have you come here so early?” “Because, Lord,” I said, “I have a duty to perform.”
“What is the duty?” he asked. “I am fasting, Lord,” I replied. “But what is this fast you people are keeping?” he asked. “I am fasting according to my custom, Lord,” I said. “You people do not know how to fast for God,” he said, “and this worthless fast you are keeping for him is not a fast.”
“Why do you say this, Lord,” I asked. “I say this,” he said, “because what you think you are keeping is not a fast. But I will teach you a fast that is acceptable and complete to the Lord.” “Yes, Lord,” I said, “you will make me blessed if you show me the fast acceptable to God.” “
Listen,” he said. “God does not want this kind of vain fast. For when you fast like this to God you do nothing at all righteous. But fast to God as follows: Do no evil in your life, but serve as the Lord’s slave with a pure heart, keeping his commandments and proceeding in his injunctions;
And let no evil desire rise up in your heart. Trust in God, be cause if you do these things and fear him and are self-restrained from every evil deed, you will live to God. If you do these things, you will accomplish a fast that is great and acceptable to the Lord.”
The Shepherd of Hermas 54. 1-5, Parable V (c. A.D. 70-140) as reported by Bart Ehrman in Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into The New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) 272.
As GTP does the kind of work Isaiah prophesied and Hermas echoed, I have a testimony to share. I cried for help for capital and God showed up. Simple as that.
Two days ago we were looking at a $250,000 need, and today it’s only $50,000. God provided. And it’s not only for one year but five years ($200,000 x 5). God has given us capital to build capacity.
Today’s message in that light aims to call you to radical service and trust. Spend yourself believing that God will hear your prayer when you have a need. He will say, “Here I am!”
I get on a plane for a week in Washington D.C. tomorrow. I will meet up with GTP staff from Canada, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Dominican Republic. We will visit ECFA’s offices on one one day.
We have three fasting days planned to discern direction. Our aim is to orient three new staff and activate our Chinese and Spanish teams over the course of the week at Black Rock Retreat.
Pray for us. And pray for God to supply the remaining $50,000 we need by 30 June 2024. Give as you are able here. And, as God leads, support others who are spending themselves for God.