#84 “Understanding the Role of Fasting”

(The Right/Wrong Way to Fast) Pt.8

“‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, and you have not seen it?

“‘Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’"

(Isaiah 58:3)

King James Version (KJV)

Have you ever fasted and felt that nothing happened or that God paid you absolutely not attention at all? You afflicted your flesh and it still yelled for attention? It sounds familiar because this is just what the children of Israel did and they were upset with God in Isaiah 58. Now look at what God told them… “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fas as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” The Israelites were fasting so they say; however, they were doing a whole lot of other things which displeased the Lord. 

When you fast you flesh doesn’t like and it will on occasion ‘ACT OUT’ just to put it politely. We get irritable and cranky, before you know it you have lashed out at some innocent by stander, who has no clue what you’re upset about. Let’s look at what they were doing on their fast days! 

Ø  You do as you please (nothing changes it’s just like any other day to you)

Ø  You exploit those who work for you ( you cheat he laborers)

Ø  You quarrel with the people around you (employees, customer’s wife/husband, children…etc!)

Ø  You have strife between you and others (what do you do to fix it?)

Ø  You hit/strike people with doubled up fist (fighting among you and friends, family...)

Ø  You still expect God to hear your voice from on high (but should He?)

We try to enter into a time of fasting, not just any kind of fast either, but a ‘HOLY FAST’ and think that we can do the same things we always do, say the same things we always say and treat people the same way we always treat them right? Wrong!!! God is not going to answer us over all the mess! I realize that it’s hard to fast but this is why it’s important to steal away, get away if at all possible from all the things that so easily beset or upset you. 

When says, “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly,” He’s wanting us to change our routine and dedicate that time to Him. You may say, “but I went without eating for seven days” however whenever someone spoke to you they nearly lost their head. You still gossiped on the phone for three hours, you went right on doing your things and then at the end of the day you say, ‘I fasted today.’ Did you fast or was that a quick start to your next diet? You must be willing to sacrifice watching TV, playing games on your cell phone or computer, you may even have to miss out on going to hang-out with your friends after 24/7 meeting or Wednesday night bible study. This is what’s meant by seeking His face; know that He has a purpose for calling a holy fast and sacred assembly.

So what could be God’s reason for calling us to fast? “is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:  

Ø  Loose the chains of injustice

Ø  Untie the cords of the yoke

Ø  Set the oppressed free

Ø  Break every yoke

Ø  Share your food with the hungry

Ø  Provide the poor wanderer with shelter and clothe

Ø  Not to turn away from your own flesh and blood

These are the reasons God cause the spirit of fasting to come upon us; because, there are souls in need of our help. But that’s not all either, when we yield ourselves to doing His will then He rewards us for doing so! So then what should happens after we complete our fasting…:

Ø  Your light will break forth like the dawn

Ø  Your healing will quickly appear

Ø  Your righteousness will go before you

Ø  The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Ø  When you call, the Lord will answer

Ø  When you cry for help, He will remind you, “I am here”

Ø  The Lord will guide you always

Ø  He will satisfy your needs dry parched land

Ø  He will strengthen your frame.

Ø  You will be like a well-watered garden

Ø  Like a spring whose waters never fail  

The kind of fast God longs to see and wants is one that will give you additional power to declare freedom to the bound, open up blinded eyes, heal the leapers raise the dead, break the shackles off the feet and necks of the oppress. The kind of fast that brings deliverance to the lost, causing them to want to know this God we serve. Is there any wonder that Jesus walked in such power and anointing and lived a praying and fasting life? Is there any wonder that the disciples had that same anointing upon their lives? When we obey His will then we too can walk in that kind of anointing and power. “Call A Holy Fast, Call a Sacred Assembly!” and see what God will do during and afterwards!

Beloved if you are sick and tired of struggling to fast only to end up with nothing to show for it but a empty stomach. Then it’s time to get some real results from your sacrifice. Then ask God to consecrate you for the work He has called you! 

My Prayer: Father God, over the course of these lessons we have learned that our prayer time for the needs of others, not ourselves. We now understand that fasting is simple another form of intercession, so empower us with the Holy Spirit as we fast in order for us to minister as you desire. Thank you for the power to counteract the works of darkness and set captives free. Father we are willing to set ourselves apart and be consecrate unto you with prayer and fasting. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, our great example of how to fast and pray. In Jesus name,  Amen!

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace! 

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