Now more than ever we need to rise above the worldly way and embrace the high calling in Christ Jesus.
This verse tells us to implore others to work for the good of all, to comfort and have compassion on those gripped by fear, to defend and serve those that can't, and to be patient with all those around us.
Our instincts in times of crisis don't serve us. Our basic human brokenness wants to eat all the food, fight for all the goods we want, and snap at those that don't behave as we think they should.
Let's embrace the higher calling today. Let's encourage ourselves in the Lord. Let's renew our mind in His word. Let's walk by faith and not by fear. Let's give God a fast that he wants:
Isaiah 58:6 “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?
7 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?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Let's pray: Dear Lord God Almighty, we humbly come before You with thanks and praise. We thank You that You are the Most Holy God. You are our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
Lord Jesus help us to walk according to Your word and will. Help us Lord to do all that we should do instead of making excuses for our inaction and reaction to all that is happening in our lives.
Help us Lord please to rise up and transform our hearts and minds in Your word in such a way that we transform our behavior to be patient, kind, compassionate, instructive to the lost and lazy, and encouraging to the frightened. Lord we long to be Your hands and feet, shining the light of Your salvation, truth, and justice to all those around us.
We give You thanks and praise in all You are doing in us, through us, and around us.
In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.
