THE FASTING THAT WORKS – Day 201

Text: ISAIAH 58:1-14

Memory Verse: Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? (Isaiah 58:4-5)

Message: The subject of fasting is a very popular one in our generation. A lot of people believe in fasting but some do not really know the purpose and without any gain saying, so many Christians have misconceptions about the subject. Without any doubt; fasting is a spiritual exercise but obviously some have turned it to mere physical exercise or something they boast and brag about and sometimes use as the yardsticks to measure their spirituality.
Such was the situation in our text today. People fast a lot but they cannot see the results because they were not doing it properly. We know that fasting is spiritual because our Lord Jesus Christ fasted, the Apostles of old also fasted and we were commanded as well in the scriptures. Fasting must never be for show-off or for boasting and bragging. Fasting must not be to force God to do something that is contrary to His will. Fasting is to enable us put our flesh under, so that our spiritual antenna can be more sensitive to receive from God.
Fasting does not change God but it is meant to change us. The first miracle of fasting is to help us become a changed person. We are also commanded to become sensitive to the needs of others and do charities or put smiles on people’s faces as we fast and wait upon the Lord.

Wisdom Nugget: Not every fasting can produce our desired results. Fasting is mere hunger strike if we do not fast according to the scriptures.

Prayer Point: Father, I receive the grace to fast according to your word in Jesus name.