Then joy

Then your light will break forth like the dawn…

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer…

Then your light will rise in the darkness…

Then you will find your joy in the LORD…

All these “thens” sound wonderful, don’t they? But something should always come before a “then”. We need to read Isaiah 58 carefully to understand what comes before these ones.

God rebuked His people harshly for their empty spirituality. They would fast in order to please God and yet they would treat the people around them terribly at the same time. Their fasting would go hand-in-hand with exploitation and conflict. (Kind of like when I fast and I get grumpy with the kids when my blood-sugar level becomes too low.)

It’s so for easy for our worship to God – our service, our ministry, our giving to become like the Israelites’ fasting. It can become something we just do out of routine, or even worse for a kind of righteousness. And we can start to wonder – what’s the point? Where’s my blessing? Where's my joy?

We can get it so wrong?

God, through Isaiah told them what He wants:
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 ?
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 him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Isaiah 58:5-7

God doesn’t just want empty routine. Our activity doesn’t impress Him. He wants all of us – completely engaged with His life and mission. Not just our hands but our heads and our hearts as well. Not just to give money but to share our own food with the hungry – and even our whole selves as well (v10).

Instead of considering our actions first, we should put others’ needs first. We can put others first by engaging in God’s will in opposing injustice, slavery and poverty; to see His Kingdom come and His will done here on earth. As we do this, as we give our whole selves, God’s blessing is released to us. It’s not a pay off for doing good things, but it is as we participate in His divine purpose that His divine power is released into our lives.

That’s how the “thens” come. As we shine God’s light into darkness, His light shines deeper into our lives bringing life, healing, fulfilment – and joy!