June 7, 2026 Devo

June 7th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” – Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT)
“Worship That Blesses God”

One of my favorite cartoons, which I relate to way too much, is a single-frame picture of a pastor leaving for church and his wife seeing him out the door. As she adjusts his tie, she smiles and says, “Today, let’s switch things around. How about if you’re grumpy at church and charming at home?” Ouch.
Today at church, many of us will say prayers, sing songs, listen to sermons, and maybe even take communion. All things that we intend to worship and honor God. But in the midst of all those wonderful things, some of us will also say hurtful things to our spouse, yell needlessly at our kids, gossip about someone, and be critical and petty about something that doesn’t really matter all that much. Do we really think God accepts our praise when we do such things?
Isaiah points out the Israelites’ fasting as an example of their religious hypocrisy. While fasting was supposed to be a way of drawing closer to God and leaning in to more of His holiness and righteousness, it wasn’t. More of God should make us nicer, kinder, more selfless, and more generous. Isaiah points out that people were being ignored, abused, and overworked instead. One commentator suggested that some people who were fasting assigned their workers/servants more work so that they wouldn’t have to exert themselves while fasting. Others most likely took out their “hangryness” on those around them. Really godly of them.
The fact of the matter is, as much as God loves our songs, prayers, praise, and preaching, He loves us living out His Holiness even more. When we treat our spouse with respect and gentleness, God is blessed. When we are patient with our children as our Heavenly Father is with us, God is blessed. When we hold our critical tongue, swallow our words of gossip, and extend grace instead of judgment, God is blessed. If we truly want to fast in a way that honors God, then we need to worry less about what we put IN our mouths and pay much more attention to what comes OUT. Because that’s the kind of worship that blesses God. That’s God’s Word for you today.