Why we do – What we do Isaiah 58:1-2 Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action.

Isaiah 58:3-5 I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only 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?

Are you hungry for God? “The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness for hunger for God” John Piper

Purpose and Motivation Principle #1 Why we do what we do is every bit as important as what we do Principle #2 If you do the right thing for the wrong reason, you’ll eventually end up doing the wrong thing.

Promises to claim while fasting The Promise of RELEASE (Isaiah 58:6-7) The Promise of RESTORATION (vs. 8) The promise of God’s REWARD (vs. 8-9)

Jeremiah 29:13 When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.