Something About Community

^{Isaiah 58.6-11
6} Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

⁸ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Jehovah shall by thy rearward.

⁹ Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;

¹⁰ and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday;

¹¹ and Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in dry places, and make strong thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

I read this scripture yesterday and found it completely fascinating that we hardly ever hear what Isaiah shares here from the Lord as remedy for what ails us. How often do you find yourself in "darkness" only to scamper about looking for light in places other than the Lord. Perhaps you even go to Jesus for the light, but you are completely fixed on asking Him to do for you.

In this text we are told plainly to look out for others and the result is that we will be satisfied by the Father in all of the ways we need to be. What I see here is that in looking out for others we are provided for beyond what we could even forsee. He's even got our back!

So here's the scenario, I'm in a dark place and I decide to not allow that to tell me to focus on me...I go and serve others. I meet the needs of those who are possibly even worse off than me...I show love and kindness in the midst of the world giving me the finger and I do as unto the Lord. The Bible says, that when I do that, then the light I need will, "break forth as the dawn". In other words, who can stop it!?...after that or even at the same time, my healing will manifest...I'm talking about a holistic health, body, mind, and spirit....as that is going on, righteousness is headed on before me...So I will have a more clear path ahead of me and even if trouble is ahead I'm assured the Lord has been there prior to me and has made a way for me...Not only that the King of kings Himself is my reward! He will lead me "continually"!...He'll satisfy me with water in the desert and the Spirit of God within me will fail not.

The coolest part about this scripture is that most all of the beneficial aspects occur before I've even prayed. Prayer is mentioned very late in the text. Long past me receiving the favor and grace of God in my life. I cannot tell you enough, GO. Do something. Your "religion" is of no use to anyone, including God. Do something with yourself and the manifold blessings that God has bestowed upon you...He's given you stuff to the ends that they'd be used for the ministry of reconciliation, which ministry belongs to you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Next time you find yourself in a dark place, or needy...meet the need of another. Keep the faith and wear the crown. God bless and keep you in His care. Holla.

PJ