Hi Everyone,
Fasting should be a normal part of a relationship with God. Jesus
said “when you fast” because He is expecting that we fast. The bible
presents fasting as something that is good, profitable and
beneficial. Jesus himself fasted as an example for us. We fast for a
more intimate walk with God. It allows us to take our eyes off the
things of the world and focus completely on God. Fasting as the text
states “reveals the things that controls us,” it kills the flesh and
transforms us into the image of Jesus Christ. Fasting reminds us that
we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Some of the things I want more than food;
I crave for a closer and more intimate relationship with God to able
to see from His prospective at all times. I want to be able to use the
power He has given to me wherever I go to accomplish His work. I want
more to discern when God is speaking to me, and to accurately
interpret what he is saying and to be obedient to his instructions. I
must say that I am sometimes hesitant to move or do the things God
tells me to do. I crave to know the mind of God, to know His
thoughts, His ways and His will.
Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes. Biblical fast
is intended for a deeper fellowship with God. It is an opportunity
for us to get closer to God, not for God to do what we want, as the
text states “to use good things to our own ends is always the sign of
false religion.” Fasting must be God initiated and God ordained. Once
our primary purpose is centers on God, then he takes control of our
hearts. Biblical fasting is more on an individual basis, putting our
daily necessary needs before God and allowing him to transform us.
When our relationship with God is strengthened and we get to know him
more, His people will not perish in the hands of the enemy because
when we fast God reveals to us the enemy’s plans.
When Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast for the purpose of
deliverance his objective was for a specific purpose. He feared the
Moabites and Ammonites etc. and viewed this as a time of national
treat and potential disaster. Jehoshaphat knew that God was the All
Powerful and All Mighty God so he turned to Him for help. He called
for a united fast, the whole nation, all their little ones, their
wives etc. Jehoshaphat was saying that if God did not do something,
all his people would perish in the hands of the enemy. He knew there
was no way he could escaped the hands of his enemies if God did not
intervene. His human resources were limited, so he became totally
dependent on God to fight the battle. They all fasted and God
revealed to them the enemies’ plan and instructed them on what to do.