I met a like minded guy years ago named Paul F, he sends out periodic insights during our BSF study. I wanted to hold on this one:
Is Fasting God’s Weapon Provided for My Situation?
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. (Ezra 8:21-23 ESV)
I find it interesting that the books we are studying in BSF this year concerning the Exile and Return provide more direct examples of the application of fasting in the lives of God’s people than any other section of scripture. We already observed 2 examples in Daniel where he as an individual fasted and how God answered with specific and amazing answers. The example in Ezra 8:21-23 demonstrates the role of corporate fasting by the whole group as key to protection from very real enemies on the long journey to Jerusalem. We will see more examples in the last 2 chapters of Ezra as well as in Nehemiah, Esther and the minor prophets. It appears that the people of the Old and New Testament were aware of its benefits even though the only Scripture in which God actually commands it was for the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur as it is called today. (Leviticus 23:26-32) If you are struggling with challenges that prayer alone has not seemed to have generated answers or God has put it on your heart to fast, the following is a brief Bible study on fasting covering some of the basics. In order for anything to be pleasing to God it must be based upon faith. (Hebrews 11:1-6) Since faith only comes as a result of God's Word (Romans 10:17), it is vitally important that each of us study and know what God says concerning this in order for it to have the benefit God intends. This study will assist you in this process.
1. Should Christians Fast?
Read Matthew 6:1-18. Did Jesus make any distinction between giving, praying and fasting? _____ What does He promise to those who fast? ______________________________
2. What is a fast?
The word 'fast' simply means not eating. The Bible gives no direction as to when, how long and how often to fast. It is up to the individual or group to listen for God's direction. The Bible does give several examples of individual and group fasting. These fall into 3 basic types: 1) Normal (food only - Luke 4:2, Ezra 8:21-23), 2) Total or Absolute (food and water - Acts 9:9; Esther 4:16), and 3) Partial (specific foods - Daniel 10:2-3). It is not possible to discuss here the many individual benefits of extended fasts. See the references listed below for a complete discussion of the topic as well as helpful information as to how to successfully engage in seeking the Lord in this way.
3. The many examples of fasting in the Bible demonstrate various circumstances during which fasting is appropriate:
A. National calamity and protection. Esther 4:13-16; 2 Chronicles 20:2-3; Ezra 8:21-23
B. Repentance and accomplishment of God's plans. Daniel 9:2,3; Ezra 9:3-5; 10:6
C. Spiritual warfare and revelation of God's plans. Daniel 10.
D. Preparation for public ministry in the Power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1-14)
E. Personal repentance, healing and direction. Acts 9:9.
F. Commissioning for God's work. Acts 13:3.
4. Compare Luke 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3 with Job 23:12b.
Can you say with Job that God's word is more important to you than physical food? Fasting is a practical demonstration of belief that it is God's Word that brings life not our food that we naturally consider "necessary food (NKJV), daily bread (NIV)" required for living.
5. Study Isaiah 58.
What things do not constitute an acceptable fast? (3-5; Mt. 6:16-18) ________________________
______________________
What are 8 proper objectives of a fast acceptable to God? (6,7) ____________________________
__________________
__________________
What are 5 rewards God promises from this type of fast? (8-9) _____________________________
__________________
A proper fast will enable us to do what 5 additional things that God desires? (9-10) ____________
__________________
What will be the result of doing these? (10-12) ______________________________
What 8 objectives does God list as conditions (13) for receiving the final promises found in verse 14? ______________________________
__________________
6. The Holy Spirit recorded His leading and direction in the life of Jesus as our supreme example or pattern to follow "to fulfill all righteousness". (Matthew 3:13-17) This is true even though it often doesn't make sense to even the most spiritual of us. (John the Baptist) Read Luke 4:1-22. After His water baptism and new encounter with the Holy Spirit Jesus is described as "full of the Holy Ghost". However, it was not until He successfully overcame the 3 basic temptations of the Devil through fasting and application of God's written Word that he is described as "in the power of the Spirit" and thus ready to begin His public ministry. Jesus summarized His ministry in verses 18-19 by reading from Isaiah 61:1-2. Compare Isaiah 61:1-6 with Isaiah 58:6,12 and 14. I find it significant that the Holy Spirit placed these 2 sections consecutively, similar to His inspiration of Isaiah to place chapter 61 shortly after chapter 58.___________________________ ______________________________
______
Derek Prince writes,
"Rightly practiced, fasting brings both soul and body into subjection to the Holy Spirit. It is important to understand that fasting changes man, not God. The Holy Spirit, being Himself God, is both omnipotent and unchanging. Fasting breaks down the barriers in man's carnal nature that stand in the way of the Holy Spirit's omnipotence. Thereafter, with these carnal barriers removed, the Holy Spirit can work unhindered in His fullness through our prayers."1 "Fasting is neither a gimmick nor a cure-all. God does not deal in such things. God has made full provision for the total well-being of His people in every area of their lives--spiritual, physical, and material. Fasting is one part of this total provision. Fasting is not a substitute for any other part of God's provision. Conversely, no other part of God's provision is a substitute for fasting."2
7. When is fasting inadvisable?
"A normally healthy and well-nourished body can exist for several weeks without being injured or incapacitated by lack of food. During a prolonged fast the body is living on surplus fat, and at the same time it is acting like an internal incinerator, burning up the waste and decaying tissues of the body. Only when this refining process is complete does it commence to consume its sound living cells, and that is when starvation commences." 3 However, "In cases of serious undernourishment or nervous exhaustion fasting is not recommended, unless for very short periods. It should not be undertaken by diabetes patients, especially if insulin is in use. Nor is it deemed advisable for expectant mothers."4"If there is any doubt about fitness to fast, one should seek medical advice."4
In Summary: Biblical fasting eliminates pride preparing us to be a conduit of God’s power of grace to others. Pride “shorts out” God’s power destroying all it touches in the process. See Psalm 35:13; James 4:6-10 and Hebrews 10:29.
References:
1. Derek Prince, Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting, Flemming H. Revell Co. pg. 86.
2. Ibid. pg. 87.
3. Arthur Wallis, Gods Chosen Fast, Christian Literature Crusade. pg. 77.
4. Ibid. pg. 111.
5. James Lee Beall, The Adventure of Fasting, Flemming H. Revell Co.
Paul Fechner
No comments:
Post a Comment