READING FOR APRIL 21, 2026: ISAIAH 58, 1 CORINTHIANS 13, PSALM 34:1-10

ISAIAH 58  God wanted His people to understand more about their sins related to two kinds of spiritual disciplines: fasting and Sabbath keeping. He said in verse one that it’s important that His people know their sins.  How can we know our sins today? Someone in church could tell us, which should be an ongoing activity at Yorktown Methodist Church: “My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).   Or possibly the Holy Spirit could convict us of sin, most often through the Bible: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). If our church is not functioning as it should or we aren’t reading the Bible, we might not notice our sins. We might tend to think we’re cool the way we are. 

God seemed to acknowledge that Judah was seeking to please Him (vs. 2). Yet, they com- plained that, despite their fasting, God hadn’t noticed, as evidenced by unanswered prayer. We’ve been there before, haven’t we?  In this case, God gave them a direct answer. He replied in effect, “Yes, you have fasted, but then immediately oppressed your workers.” God rejects these kinds of religious displays when not accompanied by attitudes and actions that reveal true humility and obedience. The Psalmist has said the same: “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18).  This chapter about true fasting anticipates James’s comments about true faith: “What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:14-17).

God made keeping the sabbath one of His top ten commandments. He also commanded that their land enjoy a sabbath. Notice one of the possible reasons for their upcoming exile to Ba- bylon: “Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies...All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sab- baths you lived in it” (Lev. 26: 34-35). Now, before they enter Babylon, the land of their enemies, God wants them to know the blessings of obeying this command, even in exile. Surely this would be a tangible way of maintaining their faith and their distinct identity as God’s people. 

A question for us is does the sabbath command apply to us today at Yorktown Methodist? There are contrasting opinions on this among scholars. This command, unlike many others, is not repeated as a command in the New Testament. We also know that the new covenant frees us from some commands of the law, perhaps including the sabbath: Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17). This writer suggests it is good practice, but not one about which we should judge others. 

READINGS FOR APRIL 21, 2026 CONTINUED:1 CORINTHIANS 13, PSALM 34:1-10 1 CORINTHIANS 13 This may be one of the best-known chapters in the New Testament. It is read at almost every wedding. It is a beautiful poem about the virtue of love. The love that Paul talks about in this chapter has little to do with emotions. Love (Agape – unconditional love) is recognized by actions. We share our love and grace with others by what we do (not what we feel). This chapter is an Encomium poem. This is a type of poem that glorifies a per- son, thing, or abstract idea (www.britannica.com). In this case, Paul is praising the virtue of love. The poem begins by using Paul as an example. He uses the spiritual gifts listed in Chapter 12 to set the stage. Paul is trying to say that no matter how magnificent the act or the expression of a spiritual gift, if love is missing it is worthless. It is self-promotion and fruitless. Only through love can the spiritual gifts bring fruit. Paul goes on to list things that love is (patient, kind, and truthful); and things that it is not (does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrong, does not delight in evil). These statements help us to see what love is. It is not selfish. It is outwardly focused.

To emphasize the power of love, Paul tells us: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor. 13:7).  There are words introduced in this verse that will play out throughout this chapter (trust, faith, and hope). When we love, we have the ability to have faith (trust) in others and in God. When love is present, we can always keep a grasp on the hope that we have been given. It is love that helps us to get through trials. It is love of God and neighbor that gives us faith and hope for the future.

Paul then compares love to the spiritual gifts of tongues, prophecy, and knowledge. These gifts are for a moment. There will come a day when they are no longer needed. In the realm of eternity, there will be a day when we are in the presence of Christ and the spiritual gifts will no longer be required. Love never fails. It will always exist because God is love (1 John 4:8). Paul reminds us that all we see in this life is a poor reflection of reality. We cannot fully compre- hend all that God is. We cannot see all that God’s love, grace, and mercy has done for us in this life. But there will be a day when we see everything clearly. It will be a day of celebration.  Paul ends the poem: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13). These three things are of utmost importance. Faith in God through Jesus Christ. Hope through the working of the Holy Spirit. And, most of all, love.

PSALM 34:1-10 Psalm 34 is an alphabetic acrostic. The first verse begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph) and each verse begins with the next letter. The psalm begins with praise to God for an answer to prayer (verses 1-7). The psalm continues with instruction for the people. The title of this psalm gives its historical context (see 1 Samuel 21:10-15). While David was fleeing from King Saul, he went to the area of Gath. Because he was afraid of the King, he pretended to be insane. The King of Gath let him go because he did not want to deal with him. The psalm begins with a hymn of praise. The first three verses call the humble to join David in praising God for his goodness. The reason for this praise is because God has rescued David from a difficult time. David prayed to God in his fears and God answered those prayers. Those who call on the name of God will be saved. In verse eight, the psalm shifts to wisdom sayings. Verse eight is often quoted and sometimes the metaphor is difficult to under- stand. The idea of “tasting” God seems odd. The concept is that if we “encounter” God; if we put our trust in God; we will see that God is good. We will be blessed in the protection of God.