As If...

A Meditation on Isaiah 58

Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God.
—Isaiah 58:2

This verse starts off sounding great. The people of God seek him daily. They delight to know his ways. But the Lord looks deeper and comments “As if…”

As if they did righteousness. As if they did not forsake his judgment.

It is good to seek the Lord daily and to delight in knowing his ways. But if it does not match up with doing righteousness, then it is in vain.

In the context of this section, they were particularly fasting from food thinking this would get them God’s favor. Yet they were not fasting from sin.

Is not this the fast that I choose;
to loose the bonds of wickedness.
—Isaiah 58:6

If they were to fast from wickedness,

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
They you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
—Isaiah 58:8-9

Lord, let my life match up to my devotions.