Human beings are innately religious by nature.  For our entire existence, it seems we have been hard-wired to worship something or someone.

Much of our religion has a nakedly transactional quality to it -- we perform certain rituals or activities to appease the Deity (or deities), and in return, we are blessed with abundant rainfall, plenteous crops, and a brood of healthy children.

It's not surprising that God's people fell victim (and still do!) to this quid pro quo view of spirituality, to the illusion that they could somehow manipulate the Creator of the universe into granting their requests if they just checked the right boxes in their worship.  Yet the prophets consistently railed against this hollow, self-serving kind of religion.

Isaiah 58 focuses on the Israelites' emphasis on the ritual of fasting, which brings forth an ironic, if not biting response from God about what constitutes true fasting -- caring for the poor, sharing their resources, and fighting against injustice.  It is this kind of heart-religion -- a religion characterized by living out God's own values and priorities in the world -- that will result in the kinds of blessings they seek.

And the ultimate blessing will be his very presence: "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here am I.'" (Isaiah 58:9)