Scripture:
Isaiah 58:6-9, 12
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
Observation:
When we think of fasting, we usually think of urging God to move on our behalf because of how much we have given up for Him. This is not the heart or the purpose of fasting at all. This type of fasting is selfish, based in pride, and focused on our efforts, feelings, and desires.
The whole point of fasting is to stop focusing on ourselves. It is to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24), focus on the Lord, and make His priorities our priorities. What are God’s priorities? To destroy sin, evil, and selfishness (1 John 3:8) and to love other people – to lift the lowly, to provide for the needy, to show kindness and to extend mercy.
Fasting is not about getting what you want. It is about getting your flesh out of the way (John 3:30) so that God can do what He wants in you and through you. When we lay down our lives (desires, rights, and priorities – Philippians 2:3-4), God will put His glory on display in and through our lives (Matthew 6:17-18).
Application:
Stop focusing on what you are giving up, how you feel, or what you want God to do in your life.
Start asking God how to die to yourself and how you can serve others with the love of God.
Feed the hungry – instead of buying an $8 latte, buy someone else lunch.
Pray for others and meet their needs when you can.
Stop gossiping, arguing, and division.
Help others lift their burdens.
We must stop with the religious, pharisaical, and selfish mentality that says, “Sorry, I can’t help you – I’m fasting.” We must embrace fasting as a time of service to God and to others (Matthew 25:37-40) and start asking, “How can I help?”
Fasting is a time to stop looking in the mirror and start asking “Lord, what are You up to in the world? How can I come alongside Your mission in the lives of others today?”
Prayer:
Jesus, I love You. Thank You for today. You are holy, loving, merciful, and kind. Help me to be like You. Help me to stop being so selfish and self-focused. Let my heart posture be that of John the Baptist when he said, “I must decrease and You must increase.” Help me to see and meet the needs of others today, instead of focusing on my own physical and spiritual hunger pains. Let Your glory shine through my life. Amen.
Worship: