"And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

We've finally come to this understanding: 

• The fast that fails produces nothing 
• The fast that forms produces character. 
• But the fast that frees? It produces a future.

So what I'm seeing is this. Look at what God promises when we get this right. "Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'"

Did you see that word "then"? Then. After you have learned to release. After you have stopped grasping. After fasting has formed open hands and a generous heart and Christlike character. Then your light breaks forth. Then your healing springs up. Then God answers. Then He says, "Here I am."

You want God to answer? You want to hear Him say, "Here I am"? Stop grasping and start giving. Stop clutching and start releasing.

Now watch this. God promises incredible restoration. Light in darkness. Guidance in confusion. Satisfaction in scorched places. Strength in weary bones. Fruitfulness that does not fail. But notice the condition. "If you pour yourself out."

And then comes the promise that stirs my soul. "Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt. You shall raise up the foundations of many generations. You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in."

Can I just say that God calls different churches to do different things? And this is what He has called us to do. We are going to rebuild. We are going to raise up. We are going to repair. We are going to restore.

• We are going to rebuild the altar in the family that has found itself in ruins. 
• We are going to raise up a foundation in the home from which generations will build upon. 
• We are going to repair the culture in our city that the enemy has exploited the people through. 
• We are going to restore the streets, the blocks, the businesses, the households until we transform the cities we live in.

And all of that begins with households of faith. It begins with us. It begins with people who have been formed by a true fast.

Here's my call to you. Stop looking at what you will gain. Start asking who you will become. Stop counting the days. Start looking for the opportunities. Stop grasping. Start giving.

Because when we become like Him... open handed, self giving, grace extending... then the promise of Isaiah 58 will be ours.

• The fast that fails focuses on self. 
• The fast that forms focuses on Christ. 
• The fast that frees focuses on others.

Which fast are you fasting?

Write down one specific area where you will commit to being a restorer rather than a consumer. Identify the ruins. Name the breach. And ask God how He wants to use your transformed life to bring rebuilding to that place.