The following message is by pastor John Piper.

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Today's scripture text comes from the book of Isaiah chapter 58 verses 1 through 12.

Cry loudly do not hold back.

Raise your voice like a trumpet and declare to my people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Yet they seek me day by day and delight to know my ways. As a nation that

has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of their God, they ask me for just

decisions. They delight in the nearness of God. Why have

we fasted and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and you do not notice?

Behold, on the day of your fast, you find your desire

and drive hard all your workers.

Behold you fast for contention and strife to strike with a wicked fist.

You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.

Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it for vowing one's head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed, will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day

to the Lord?

Is this not the fast which I choose to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.

Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house?

When you see the naked to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own flesh, then

your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery will

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