Shun Unhealthy Self-Focus – Part 5

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Isaiah 58:5

God never commanded you to examine your emotions, experiences, or sins. What He did say is, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29). Victory over sin comes from focusing on Christ – not beating yourself up! In the Old Testament the Israelites reached a place of despair. They’d fasted and ‘afflicted’ their souls, yet God ignored their efforts. They sought spiritual restoration in their own self-directed way, and God rejected it, saying: ‘Is this the kind of fast I have chosen…for people to humble themselves…bowing one’s head like a reed…in sackcloth and ashes? Is that…acceptable to the Lord?’ Clearly, God is not pleased with the misery that comes from self-focus! He has a more effective way to liberate us. Rather than have us weighed down with remorse, He said: ‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice…set the oppressed free…break every yoke…share your food with the hungry…provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not…turn away from your own flesh and blood?’ (Isaiah 58:6-7). God’s way eliminates the ‘paralysis of self-analysis’ by commanding you to forget about yourself completely; to stop dwelling on your imperfections and get involved in the lives and needs of others. His four-point plan for overcoming your flesh is: 1) Acknowledge His grace and see yourself as ‘righteous’ in Christ. 2) Fix your eyes on Jesus. 3) Shun obsessive self-focus. 4) Serve God by serving others. When you do all these things, ‘Your light will rise in the darkness…The Lord will guide…and…strengthen [you]’ (vv. 10-11).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me focus on the needs of others and serving them in Your Name, in Your way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen