God's Presence Found Within Righteous Actions
Daily Scripture
Isaiah 58:4-9
4 You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast;
you hit each other violently with your fists.
You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today
if you want to make your voice heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I choose,
a day of self-affliction,
of bending one’s head like a reed
and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes?
Is this what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 Isn’t this the fast I choose:
releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke,
setting free the mistreated,
and breaking every yoke?
7 Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry
and bringing the homeless poor into your house,
covering the naked when you see them,
and not hiding from your own family?
8 Then your light will break out like the dawn,
and you will be healed quickly.
Your own righteousness will walk before you,
and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and God will say, “I’m here.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Rabbi Michael Zedek, author of Taking Miracles Seriously, preached at Resurrection on September 7. In this week’s GPS, we read and reflect on six Scriptural passages that Rabbi Zedek spoke to specifically in his excellent book.
Rabbi Zedek wrote of the role today’s reading plays in Jewish worship, “The particular excerpt has pride of place, as the assigned reading on Yom Kippur, which is often, if imprecisely, called the holiest day of the Jewish calendar…. The Prophet Isaiah provides a devastating critique of outward piety when combined with hypocritical intent. This is both pertinent and paradoxical, given that the congregation is engaged in ritual fasting.” *
- Like many prophetic passages in the Old Testament, what may sound negative in today’s reading goes beyond warning of God’s absence to promising God’s presence. As scholar Patricia Tull said, “The chapter’s structure reflects not condemnation but ethical instruction.” ** Verse 9 reminds us of John Wesley’s final words: “Best of all, God is with us.” How does that promise motivate you to pay close attention to the prophetic call in verses 6-7?
- Rabbi Zedek reminded us of his encouragement to see miracles in actions we too often dismiss as “ordinary”: “In effect, the Isaiah text argues that God’s presence is found in, even more precisely within our righteous actions. In lifting another, we lift far more: we elevate others, self, and (here the outrageous, better, wonderful part) God.” *** When have you realized that caring, helping actions reflect not only wonderful people, but through them a miraculously wonderful God?
Prayer
Lord God, remind me (often) never to think outward piety can disguise a misalignment of my inner self with your holy purposes. Shape me to live a life that elevates others, myself and even You. Amen.
GPS Insights
Ginny Howell
Ginny Howell, who serves as the Worship Experience Director for Resurrection, wrote today's Insights. She leads the church’s efforts to provide radical hospitality and an excellent worship experience across all of our locations. She’s a mom to three, g-momma to one sweet little boy, and shares much of her time with her closest companion, a rescued Pit Bull named Lola.
I have a pretty low tolerance for inauthenticity. When words and actions don’t match, I struggle to invest in what that person is trying to make me think or how they want me to act. God calls out that same discord as He speaks through the Prophet Isaiah in today’s passage.
The Israelites seem to be trying to use the “easy button”. To quarrel and brawl and then try to demonstrate their obedience to God doesn’t sit too well. The performance they are putting on with their mourning clothes and ashes has little to do with the real work God is calling them to do.
You know what the problem is with having a low tolerance for inauthenticity? That same lens focuses on your own hypocrisy faster than you can blink an eye. Lately, I have felt a bit overwhelmed with the busyness of all the things–parenting, work, managing a household, being an engaged citizen in the world… These aren’t new stresses, and they aren’t going away anytime soon, but I don’t know that I have been managing them super well. When I look at how I am spending my time, I understand why. I rush from one meeting or activity to another in a schedule that I overfilled myself. I long for quiet and some moments of peace, but then I turn on the TV or stick my nose in a screen. I need and want rest and then I say yes to one more thing that I didn’t really have to say yes to.
God sees us and reminds us to put down our yokes. To break free from the self-imposed pressures and performances that we think will serve us well and invites us to be fully committed to His work. When we focus on the acts that are most important, ‘then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed’.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Zedek, Michael, Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality (p. 128). Sutherland House Books. Kindle Edition.
** Patricia K. Tull, study note on Isaiah 58:1-2 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 1189 OT.
*** Zedek, Michael, Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality (p. 129). Sutherland House Books. Kindle Edition.
