2024-03-22
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week, the Holy Spirit commanded me to write about the first three levels of faith: Level 1: the measure of faith; Level 2: the word of God; Level 3: prayer. Each of these was elaborated upon with such Scripture. Level 1: MT 8: 26-27, Level 2: 2 TIM 3: 16-17: RO 10: 17. Level 3: JUDE 1: 20-21. Now, it’s time to examine Level 4: Fasting.
Except when there are medical issues for not fasting, this temporary withdrawal from food is practiced by the Judeo-Christian faiths and by Islam during their feast of Ramadan. Jesus expects us to fast. The purpose behind this practice is somewhat akin to withdrawing temporarily from work on the Sabbath in my mind—to focus our attention on God. I like to think of it as a listening day, which can include prayerful communication with Him. During fasting, one can be anointed with oil (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) and practice this in private. We are urged, in MT 6: 16-18, “not to look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to indicate to others that they are fasting. The Father, Who is unseen, sees what is done in secret and will reward you.” There are some caveats associated with fasting that should be considered. Humans cannot go beyond three days without water. One shouldn’t fast from food for more than a week, unless done as Islamic people during Ramadan. They will not eat during the day for 40 days at Ramadan but will break the fast at night after sundown.
Fasting is a way to humble yourself before God. While it’s more about you taking your prayer concerns to Him, it is also a time of listening to Him. The following are some examples from Scripture: PS 35: 13, “Yet when they [David’s ruthless witnesses] were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting…” EZRA 8: 21, “And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that He would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our good as we traveled.” 1 PET 5: 5b-7, “God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” JAS 4: 10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” In times of distress and grief, believers fast. JG 29: 26, “Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace offering before the Lord.” In times of repentance, it is appropriate to fast. JL 2: 12-13, “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.” Yet another reason to fast is gaining spiritual strength and dedicating yourself to God. An example is when Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and tempted by the devil [MT 4: 1-11]. Another reason is for discipline. Paul’s words in 1 COR 6: 19-20 and 1 COR 9: 27 are examples. “Do you not know that your bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought for a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies…But I discipline by body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I, myself, should be disqualified.” Fasting can also strengthen prayers, as in MT 17: 21, “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” EZRA 8: 23, “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.” Fasting is another way to express love and worship to God. LK 2: 36b-37 [regarding Anna in the temple] “She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.” Fasting also helped when needing guidance and making important decisions. AC 13: 2, “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” One last instance when fasting helps is in drawing closer to God and separating yourself from the world. JAS 4: 8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
PRAYER: O Most Holy Lord, You expect us to fast but want us to use common sense in both the circumstances when we do and in the way we go about it. Excessive fasting is a threat to one’s health, and You want us to remain healthy, fasting for the right reasons. The reasons for fasting have been made clear in the Scriptures. You mean for it to be in addition to study of Your word, an active, dynamic prayer life, spending frequent time with You, expressing thankfulness, praising You, acknowledging Your blessings, serving You, and in both private and corporate worship. We are grateful that You make Yourself available to us at any time, that You are generous with us, and that You share Your wisdom with us. For all of this and so much more, we offer You our heartfelt praise, loyalty, and thanks, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: As you can see, there was only space enough to discuss Level 4 Fasting this week. So, next week, I will obey the command of the Holy Spirit to discuss Level 5: Impartation (which means accurate transmittal of the Gospel in the spiritual sense). We are urged to communicate, pass on, convey, relay, relate, recount, present accurately what we learn from the Scriptures. This can be done in many ways: by ordinary conversations, by example, teaching, hearing, dramatic presentations, and sharing one’s testimony, etc. There are criteria to be met as to when and how to do this. We can learn so much from the Lord, if we are willing to listen for His wisdom. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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