Topic: Fasting—The Real Essence [Wednesday, December 28th]
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly (Joel 2:15).
People fast for different reasons. Some fast because they want to get an answer from God, thinking their fasting would compel Him to answer them. They see fasting as a means of getting God to do something He ordinarily wouldn’t have done, had they not fasted. That’s the wrong idea about fasting. I do fast, but I don’t fast to get God to do something for me. If you’re fasting so that God will do something for you, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason, because He’s done everything for you already. He already said, “All things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21); so what then is the purpose of fasting?
You should fast, primarily, because it’s good spiritual exercise designed to bring the flesh under subjection of the spirit. Fasting gets you attuned to the Spirit to hear what God is saying, and be guided to do His will and follow His purpose for your life. Fasting helps you to align with God’s will and purpose, and positions you rightly for God’s Word to come to you. God may have been speaking to you and you may have not been picking His signals. However, through fasting you become sensitive and ready to receive the guidance and direction He’s giving you.
Secondly, and very importantly, you should fast as an act of worship to the Lord. You can decide you just want to give the Lord a lot of attention, to love and cherish Him for some number of days or over a period. At such times you stay away from everything else, especially food, and just focus on Him, fellowshipping with Him.
As you prepare for the coming year, take time to fast and pray; but let it be an opportunity to love and appreciate the Lord. Let it be a time to celebrate the Word and make your faith effectual by acknowledging the good things the Lord has done in you, and for you, in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
Precious Lord, my soul thirsts for you. You alone are my heart’s desire and all I want and long for is to worship and adore you, my Lord and my King! Thank you for making my life glorious, and blessing me with all that I require to be effectual in the life of righteousness. I love you blessed Jesus! Amen.
Further Study: || Isaiah 58:6-8 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. ||
|| 2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ||
Daily Scripture Reading
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 19:11-21,
Zechariah 9-11
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 21:1-12,
Zechariah 11-12
EXTRACT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
