The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Fasting and the Heart of God.

“. . . Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8  

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In Jesus’s time on earth, the most disciplined religious leaders were the scribes and Pharisees. They knew the Scriptures better than any other people of the time and followed the law very diligently. Yet they were missing the very core of what they were to do. Jesus was dealing with the same religious attitude in His day that God spoke through His prophet in Isaiah 58. That is why our Lord said, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20).

Have you taken your place on the wall?

Isaiah 58:8 shows us what true righteousness means. It is a result of daily practicing Isaiah 58:6-7, to set people free, to love and serve the hungry, poor, and those in need. Even today we can struggle with the same tendency to focus on religious acts to display our own “righteousness.” God is focusing more on the heart, not of “what we do” but “who we truly are.” Are we people who truly love God, not just do deeds so we look like we love God?  Are we people who truly love others, and not just people who do deeds that look like we love others?

Think of Jesus’s reputation. Did He truly minister to people, care about them, feed them, set them free, love them, and meet their needs sacrificially?  Did He consider others ahead of himself?  What was the righteousness that went before Him? It was inner righteousness, the “real thing” and not for show.

Can you think of an example of someone you know, someone whose righteousness “goes before” him or her? How do you feel when they walk into the room? People who exhibit this kind of righteousness tend to always speak kindly about other people, look to serve others above themselves, and are genuinely loving. If others who know you well are reading this devotion would they think of you as this type of example? What is the righteousness that goes before you? (By David Swanson)

In your time seeking God today:

• Read Matthew chapter 23. What similarities do you see in the Pharisees that relate to what God is addressing in Isaiah 58:1-8?
• In your prayer journal, list anyone you think is an example of having an Isaiah 58:8 righteous reputation that goes before him or her.
• Think about qualities that those people in your list have and why they made your list.
• Ask God to help you take stock in your life and show you the righteousness He cares about.
• Think about the difference between religious righteousness versus the Isaiah 58 righteousness. How does this apply to you personally?  How do you think this applies to the Church as a whole?  Finally, how does this apply to our nation?  Spend some time to repent for any of these areas that you see a need (personally, the Church, and for our nation).

Related Scripture:

• Matthew 5:20; Matthew 23 (all)

Fasting and the Heart of God Full PDF Version

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(Photo Credit: Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash)