Isaiah 58

I was reading Isaiah 58 yesterday. In the first 3 verses, it tells us of the Israelites, how they seem interested in hearing the Word of the Lord, as they go to meetings/church services, and fasting. The verses even say that people would think that they are a righteous nation, by what they saw. How ever they come to God and asked why aren’t you impressed or happy with us….
The Lord’s response, was you are living for yourselves as you fast…. You continue to quarrel with each other when you fast, you just go through the motions…

As I was reading those 3 verses, I realised that the Australia is a bit like that. So many people say that they are Christians, and they don’t live it, they still live for themselves. There are people in the Church in Australia who “just go through the motions” and think that is enough; I have been guilty of that in the past.
However Christ wants more…. He wants us to have a relationship with Him, this means finding out what He feels about the things going on in our town/city, country, and world. To know what breaks His heart, and what makes Him happy.
Isaiah 58 continues, telling us some of the things that God cares about, things that break His heart. These are things like people being oppressed, treated unfairly, the poor, the homeless, and the hungry.
Isaiah 58 also says that when these things are addressed, when we right injustices, help the poor, give food to the hungry and stuff… the nation will be healthy…
To be exact the verses say
Then your light will shine out form the darkness and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy too. You will be like a well-watered garden like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
Isaiah 58 : 9 – 12

I was thinking Australia has been in a state of drought throughout the country for several years…. The drought has only just started to be broken in a lot of Australia.
And at the start of the drought breaking rain, was prayer for rain, and also a promise from the Labor party during election campaign to apologise to the indigenous people of Australia, which the previous government declined to make, saying that it was unnecessary for 10 years. And also promise to address some of the injustices in Australia.
In the light of this chapter it makes sense…. What do you think….