The Blessings of Fasting.
What does fasting achieve? Is it something I should be actively involved in? Can it help me in my walk with the Lord?
The Scriptures are adamant that fasting draws us nearer to the Lord and has benefits in our walk with Him. But we must never seek to manipulate God through our fasting.
1/. Nehemiah 1:4-11
Nehemiah wept that the city of Jerusalem was in ruins. He fasted and mourned and then prayed to God. His prayer request was heard and granted.
The link between fasting and answered prayer is clearly established. As we throw ourselves in complete dependence upon God, He hears and answers.
2/. Esther 4:16
Esther and the Jews fasted and prayed for 3 days before Esther was to approach the king. Her approach could have spelt immediate death but because the people humbled themselves before the Lord, He was gracious to them and protected them.
3/. Ezra 8:23
Ezra and the people fasted and petitioned the Lord to protect them as they journeyed to Jerusalem. The Lord heard their prayer and brought them safely back to the Promised Land.
4/. Isaiah 58:8-12
In Isaiah we read of direct promises related to fasting. Starting from Isaiah 58:6, we see the kind of fast that God has ordained and then we see the blessings of that fast.
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
Notice what God promises when fasting is done in the true spirit of fasting:-
- our light will shine
- healing will appear
- our righteousness will go before us
- God will be our rear guard
- God will answer us and hear our cries for help
- our light will rise in the darkness
- our nights will become like noon day
- The Lord will guide us
- He will satisfy our needs
- He will strengthen us
- We will rebuild ancient ruins.
From this passage alone we can rest assured that God blesses fasting. While it is not a tool to manipulate God, it is a way that we can draw near to God, seek His guidance and involvement in our lives.
5/. Matthew 6:17-18
As Jesus discoursed on hypocrisy and leading a sincere life for Christ He spoke about fasting. Jesus said,
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
While we are not told what the reward of God will entail we are promised that God will reward sincere, humble fasting that is not for public show or for winning approval from men.
For Consideration:-
A/. Which of these blessings appeal to you personally? Why?
B/. What would you describe as the point of fasting?
C/. Should a Christian fast? Explain your answer.
Prayer:-
- Spend time praising God for the year that has past. Pray that 2011 will be a year of serving God wholeheartedly, of growing His Kingdom and doing the work that He has called us as a congregation and as individuals to do.
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