1. To lead us to prayer (Isa_58:4), prayer so real that our voices are “heard on high,” that God will hear and answer.
2. To aid us in realizing communion with Him (Isa_58:9); that His voice be heard by us as truly as ours by Him; our voice to Him (Isa_58:8), His to us.
3. To aid in repressing self in all its forms. In Joh_3:30, we have thegeneral principle, also in Php_2:8.
II. THE NATURE OR CHARACTER OF TRUE ABSTINENCE.
1. To loose our bands (Luk_13:16), “whom Satan hath bound” Luk_11:21-22; Mat_5:29-30).
2. To undo our burdens (Psa_55:22; Mat_11:28-30).
3. To break every yoke, every habit that enslaves (Rom_14:21; 1Co_6:12-18). “I will not be brought under the power of any.”
4. To bring the flesh into subjection to the spirit (Gal_5:17).
2. “Thy righteousness shall go before thee ‘ as a leader to higher grace and 2Co_3:18).
3. Thy prayer shall be heard (verse 9).
4. There shall be light from on high, and His guidance for ever (verse 10; Psa_32:8; Exo_33:14).
Conclusion: To keep this season properly, we must be ourselves “free” as now creatures in Him. We must act habitually in the spirit of freedom Gal_5:1). We must do what in us lies to make others free Num_10:29). (H. Linton, M. A.)
Philanthropic piety
In these verses you have the religious instinct working, not through selfishness, but through love, not in formal religious devotions, but in earnest philanthropic services.
I. ITS RITUAL IS PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE. “Pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit the widow and fatherless,” etc.
II. ITS INFLUENCE IS GLORIOUSLY BENEFICENT. What is it? “Light.” “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning. Prosperity will come on them as the genial dawning of a long and blessed day. “Health.” “Thine health shall spring forth speedily.’ All weakness and disease will depart, and healthful vigour will come into the soul. “Righteousness.” “Thy righteousness shall go before thee.” The eternal law of rectitude--not expediency, not caprice, not passion, not morbid sentiment, will guide the footsteps as a leader through the winding path of life.’ “Glory. “The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward” (margin, “shall gather thee up, that ye shall bring up the rear’).
III. ITS SPIRIT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. “Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.” The idea is that if men would only be real in their religion, show their love to Him by labouring earnestly for the good of suffering humanity, then He would respond to their prayers, and grant them their request. (Homilist.)
