“How deceived we humans are when it comes to religious matters. So many things that start off as incentives to repentance and godliness develop into vicious idols. What starts as an aid to holiness ends up as the triple trap of legalism, self-righteousness, and superstition” (D.A. Carson). In Isaiah 58, the spiritual discipline of fasting had become this kind of trap. 2,700 years later, it could be fasting, or journaling, or raising hands in worship. Perhaps we have been helped by reading a certain author or attending a certain church. Any number of practices may enhance our spiritual growth and help us experience a greater sense of God’s presence. Wonderful! But then we start looking down our noses at those who do not share our specific approach (legalism). We begin to think that only the most mature Christians do the things that we do (self-righteousness). And we start to think that we have found a unique channel to receive God’s blessing or truth (superstition). When Isaiah is told to declare the transgressions of God’s people (v 1), we might have expected him to expose their sins of lying, stealing, or adultery. Instead, he talks about how they seek God daily and delight to draw near to Him! They purposefully “humble” themselves, embracing affliction and self-sacrifice, in order to show how serious they are about holiness (v 2-3a). But despite their sincere rituals, something is wrong. The people feel that God is being unfair. They are fasting, but He is not blessing. Why? Because God is not pleased with how they are treating one another. All of their spiritual discipline had become a waste of time in His eyes because of more practical matters. They were not taking good care of their employees. They were marked by relational conflicts. So God was offended by their religion! (v 3b-5). It is true that God blesses those who honor Him. But these conditions are not based on merit, and God will not be manipulated. Fasting is a valid way to quiet ourselves before Him, expressing our devotion and dependence. But God does not want us making ourselves hungry and miserable while disregarding our obligation to make others full and happy. If we care for the needs of others, helping them to flourish, God will make sure we flourish too. If we want Him to answer our prayers, we should be His answer to someone else’s prayers. This is the kind of self-sacrifice that pleases God (v 6-12). To delight in Him is to put God first, honoring His weekly appointment with us, rather than pursuing our own selfish pleasures. We prioritize the Lord’s Day, not to control Him, but to nurture a personal relationship with Him (v 13-14). For further meditation: