May 2022
Nougat 20
After the last two days, what are your views about fasting? I know mine have shifted a bit. And, there’s more to learn. Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” Isaiah 58:3-4 NIV
This nougat begins with a pertinent question that many of us may have considered before – why do our prayers and/or fasting go seemingly unnoticed by God? Moreover, it seems that our acts of humility have been overlooked. Why?
As a pastor who had responsibility for a local congregation in the past, I’ve heard these framed as both question and statement. And each time, then and now, it pains me to hear.
God’s willing, we shall take a look at the response our nougat gives. However I invite us to allow these questions to float through our systems for a bit. And, as we think, I hope we note:
A) It is okay to ask God the ‘difficult’ questions
We sometimes feel (and some of us have been taught) that asking God ‘Why’ is wrong, disrespectful or dishonoring. I wish to suggest that God desires to hear from us, the real, the good and especially the bad. By ‘bad’, I am referring to the issues that cause us pain and discomfort; as well as the questions about bad things happening to good people. God’s desire is for a positive relationship with us; and that is built on communication, not by withholding our thoughts.
Moreover, God sees our thoughts; and is probably waiting for the hard questions to be asked so that our relationship remains real. Our earthly friendships thrive on our openness and so does our divine relationship.
We may have noted that the nougat today is clear in noting God’s writ against the subject of the narrative. In my readings, I understood this particular writ to be a general grievance and not necessarily for a particular individual. That suggests to me that as believers, we are accountable to God for failing to respond to issues around us.
We don’t always have the luxury of saying ‘it’s not my business’ and then ignoring what’s happening around us. Silence and inaction are sometimes condoning, enabling or accepting the status quo, and that can make us culpable. Let’s pray that our silence is not upsetting God.
But, it may also be read as a general response, that would suggest common individual behavior. We can upset God for our own actions. And that’s perhaps more common. We are then accountable for that.
C) God’s response isn’t always immediate
What I also note, is that God’s message was not sent the very moment Israel had sinned. It suggests that God’s grace is such that we don’t always pay for our ‘sins’ immediately. And that’s the message of the Cross – that WHILE we sin (ie during that time), Christ’s Death purchases our pardon (Romans 5:8). That is some kind of awesomeness! For we are not treated as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10-14), and that’s a good thing.
So while we fast or pray for God’s transforming in a situation; we know we can be as open and honest as can be; even if it seems God is silent.
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May all we seek be found in Christ