Isaiah 58:8-12 – Fasting is effective when engaged rightly

Prayer and seeking God earnestly must always accompany fasting, if not, one would not be fasting but dieting. When a person is fasting but spent the time sleeping and not praying, that person at best is hibernating. The question we need to ask is, what are some positive impacts when we fast and pray? When rightly observed, fasting always brings about positive results. This is what we see in Isaiah 58:8-12.

Verse 8 tells us that light or revelation would breakthrough like the dawn. There would be enlightenment in a time of darkness and uncertainty. Then there would be recovery where things would be set right like the appearance of spring. Furthermore, righteousness would take the lead and God’s glory would be their cover. And in verse 9, God promised to listen and answer their cry, and His presence would be felt when the people earnestly seek Him in times of fasting.

In the later part of verse 9 and the first part of verse 10, God laid down two conditions for the people to consider if they desire to experience a breakthrough. They must first stop all oppressions, and all accusations, and the speaking of evil. They must seek to do right by feeding the hungry and take care of the needs of the afflicted. With these, their night-like atmosphere of gloom and doom would be transformed. The midday suggests that they would be greeted with prosperous cheerful activities.  

In verses 11-12, God further promised to guide and satisfy their desires. He would strengthen them. And in the place of their spiritually arid conditions, God would bring a spring of refreshing water. All that they once had but had fallen and left in ruin, they would be given strength to arise, rebuild and restore. The effort made would be rewarded with blessings and there would be renewal.  Those who had engaged in the fasting and brought about such impact would be known as repairers and builders of the ancient wall.   

As people who are serious about the business of God, taking time to fast and seek Him are not optional exercises. They must be scheduled in one’s journey periodically. It will certainly help to set our spiritual compass aright and keep our spiritual sense sharp. This is God’s chosen way to enable us to align and be spiritually refreshed and restored. So let us take time to fast and be spiritually renewed and make alive.