Friends,
I wanted to share something that has come to light this week. As I type this, I have no idea as to when it will be posted or read by others. I’ll explain this a little later.
Last week, a friend of mine proposed they would be fasting. This fast was to refrain from certain types of media and various foods. My views on fasting have been changing over the years. My friend stated that they really needed God to bless them and that fasting would put them in the proper state of mind and spirit to receive God’s blessing. So far, I understood the purpose of the fast.
Allow me to go into detail for those who might not understand why some Christians fast. As inhabitants in a fallen and imperfect world, we tend to divert our attention to people or things that take our eyes off of God. Although these things might not be sinful in nature, we are all susceptible to spending an unhealthy amount of time with these activities. For example, there is nothing wrong with watching TV. However, when our TV habits keep us from studying God’s word or performing His will, we have made an idol, of sorts that separates us from God.
O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, "Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good. Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods." Jeremiah 16:19 (NIV)
What kinds of things do we often put before God? TV, money, the internet – even people! In Joshua Harris’ book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, the author warns us that even relationships with people, especially dating, can be dangerous if they take our eyes off of God. Yet, it’s so easy to get distracted. Why? Because the enemy is always trying to tempt us. The devil always makes it sound so appealing, but what you reap in the end is death – spiritual death.
The idols speak deceit, the diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Zechariah 10:2 (NIV)
Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the most well-known chapters of the bible. David’s expression and depiction of Jehovah Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd, is romantic, captivating and comforting. Don Duncan, the senior pastor at Tree of Life Church in New Braunfels, Texas once said, "Jehovah Rohi comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable." We are so thankful to have a shepherd, a God so loving. However, we cast him aside when we get too involved with activity and people.
Fasting is a great way for us to refocus our love and attention on God. It also gives us the opportunity to use our sacrifice as a blessing to others. I came across the following scripture a few months ago. It’s been marinating in my heart and mind since I read it. For some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s obvious that God wanted me to meditate upon it.
’We have fasted before you!’ they say. ’Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ "I will tell you why!" I respond. "It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ’Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes." Isaiah 58:3-12 (NLT)
I know it’s a lengthy piece of scripture, but let’s break it down. Isaiah first condemns those who fast as a means to "appear" holy. It’s talking the talk, but not walking the walk. Insincere faith is not only an oxymoron, but it’s mocking God. Isaiah goes on to say that those who fast have an opportunity to use their sacrifice to be a blessing – to free the oppressed. Oppression has many forms, but our clarity through fasting can help us break bondage of any kind. Then, it says when we call upon our Lord, he will eagerly respond. Our fasting is a symbol of our faith. It’s an act of our faith. And when we are faithful to God, he is faithful to us, listening to our every need. Isaiah says he will quickly respond, "Yes, I am here." After the Lord blesses us, he imparts upon us a new strength, a new depth of faith that will allow us to rebuild walls and restore homes. Who wants to be known as a rebuilder and restorer for God? I know I’m typing with my hand raised!
After meditating on Isaiah’s words, God made me realize that to be a true brother in Christ to my friend, I needed to fast with them. It’s not to appear righteous. It’s not to impress anyone. It’s not to be a martyr. My friend’s arriving blessing means so much to me that I need to demonstrate my faith to God through fasting. It’s almost like agreeing with my friend in prayer.
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 (AMP)
I know that my friend is in agreement with God. And I am in agreement with them through my fasting. This act allows me to break yokes and remove chains. Do you see a pattern? It’s all for the glory of God. It’s what being a spiritual partner is all about.
Since part of this fast restricts the use of the internet, I might not get to post this for a while. That’s okay.
I want to share with you one last thing. Since I’ve started the fast, which has only been a couple of days, God has used all of the time I could be spending on the internet or indulging in food to talk to me. He has granted me wisdom and discernment in my relationships, allowed me to bless my brothers and sisters in Christ, given me opportunities to pray for and serve others and has even blessed me with the first ideas for a book I am writing. Though I live a life of self-discipline, I am truly amazed at what God has done by the simple sacrifice of a few, creature comforts. Not only that, but I know he is working behind the scenes on my friend’s behalf. I can’t wait (figuratively speaking) to see what he has in store next!
In Christ,
James
