Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the LORD?
(Isaiah 58:5)
LORD Jesus, we praise You for You created us. You are the One who provides nourishment for us, and You are the One who makes the Body grow. Forgive us, O God, whenever we are following traditions of men and take rituals more seriously than we do Your perfect Word. Enable us to take the time and to find that quiet place to meet with You each day. Help us to hear Your Word, but, most of all, give us wisdom and knowledge to do Your Word. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.
Have you ever come across these words, “Come to Jesus, and all will be okay?” I have. Whenever I do, I just want to shout, “No! All will not be okay! We will still face trials and temptations on this earth.”
Have you shared your burden with people just to hear them say, “I will pray for you,” and, at some point later on, you began to wonder if (their) prayers truly work?
Have you heard Christians discuss the matter of fasting? What did you think of it back then? What are your current thoughts of fasting? Are Christians required to fast? Yes? For what reasons? No? Why not?
Is Fasting Good For Us?
I believe it is, and I will get back to why abstaining from food is good for us. Let’s keep this topic for another blog post, though.
Today, I want to draw your attention to the question:
Should Christians Keep a Fast?
I strongly believe that God is asking us to fast. It is time, however, to refrain from buying and reading books on fasting. Instead, let us go back to the Bible, where we will find a reason and way for fasting.
In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus talks about fasting, meaning, not eating food for a while. We are told not to make a big fuss out of it. Our fast should not happen so that people will see us or feel sorry for us while we are fasting.
Isaiah 58 is also giving us instructions on how to fast the right, God’s way. This part of Scripture compares two ways of fasting:
– The Wrong Kind of Fasting (verses 3-5)
– The Right Kind of Fasting (verses 6-7)
Fasting is good for the body. As I have mentioned above, though, that kind of fast is reserved for another day’s post.
Fasting is also good for the Body, and here I mean the Body of Christ (the Church). It is not only good for it, but it is necessary and vital for its growth. Hence, my reason for the title of today’s blog post:
All Christians Have to Fast.
The next blog post will further explain this. If you do find the extra time, please:
Read Isaiah 58 and Matthew 6 today.