On Fasting

All throughout the Bible, people have fasted. It's something we, as Americans, living in the land of plenty, rarely think about anymore. Let's take a look at WHY people of the Bible fasted.

Psalms 35 - David fasts for deliverance from his enemies.
Acts 13 - The apostles fasted to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit to know
which direction Paul's journey should take.
Acts 14 - Paul and Barnabas committed their leaders to God through fasting.
Jonah 3 - the King and people of Nineveh fasted to cry out to God for forgiveness
for their wicked and violent deeds, and for a change of heart.
Daniel 9 - Daniel fasted on behalf of all Jerusalem, asking God to forgive their sins.

Fasting has always been an act of worship. It's a way to reach out to God more deeply than through prayer alone. It's used in times of desparation and great need for God to come in a mighty way. Maybe it's time for us, as His people, His church, to come before the Lord God Almighty and humbly beseech Him to step in and move in a miraculous way - to change what is to what He wills it to be.

Isaiah 58 is one of the best examples of why and how to fast. Verses 1 - 5 show the half-hearted attempts people have made and how they do not work. Verses 6 and 7 tell us what God expects us to use fasting to do - to stop injustices, break the yoke we bear, free the oppressed, feed the hungry, provide shelter, clothe the naked, and help our family. Imagine if we put fasting into practice on a regular basis and really connect with God! What a nation we could have then! What a church we could become! What a beacon of hope we could be to those lost in the darkness searching for the way out!

The best part of this Scripture is verses 8 - 14, telling us what God WILL DO when we humbly come before him through prayer and sincere fasting:

His light will break through, healing will appear, righteousness will come, God
will protect and guard us, He'll answer our call and stand before us, He'll guide
us, satisfy our needs, strengthen our frame, quench our thirst, rebuild the ruins,
bring joy, cause us to "ride on the heights of the land", and to "feast on the
inheritance."

Doesn't that sound like the adventure of a lifetime? Something worth living for? A purpose greater than this world? I especially love the last line in Isaiah 58, "the mouth of the Lord has spoken"(NIV). God Himself promises this to each one of us if we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting.

I challenge each one of us to consider this carefully and set aside a time to fast.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

We hear your call, but so often we get distracted. Sometimes by our selfish nature, other times because it's the plan of the enemy. Father, we recognize the need for you and your healing in our world, our nation, our community, our church, our family, right down to our own individual lives. We love you and we need you. Speak to our hearts. Make known to us what you desire each of us to do with this message. Show us HOW to do your will, then come Lord, in all your glory and splendor - once again to captivate the hearts and minds of those you love on this earth.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen