And thine health shall spring forth speedily. Isa 58:8
Isaiah 58 talks about true fasting and the many spiritual blessings that we can receive when we fast in the correct way. Many times in our lives, we expect God to pay special attention to our prayers because we are fasting and praying and we wonder why our prayers are not answered. God does not delight in our fasts and prayers if only our outward demeanor is pious but our life is filled with self-will and wickedness. A true fast is filled with sorrow for our sins and putting away of our sin; living an unselfish life and honoring God in everything we do.
According to Isa 58:8, true fasting produces healing. The Hebrew word for health used here is ‘aruwkah’ which literally means “a long bandage”; healing, restoration; and spring forth means to sprout (like plants), spring up, grow up. May our Lord refresh and restore our health and enable us to grow in Him as we fast and pray with sincerity!