The Best Thing about Fasting
What the Bible says about God as a Rewarder- pt 2
One day, Christian husband, announced to the family that he was going to fast and pray. Ginny, their 5-year-old had recently learned that fasting meant not eating. "No!" she shouted. "You can't fast! You'll die!" Her dad carefully explained that many men and women fasted in Bible times. Ginny paused a moment. Then, with a flash of insight and a note of warning, she proved her point. "And they all died," she said.
It almost sounds absurd to our minds doesn't it, that fasting (refraining from foods and other things) can be a rewarding experience. History, Jesus Christ, and contemporaries can testify to its truth. God brings a blessing to the person who fasts the way He says to.
"But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:17-18)
Our Lord and Savior told those listening that God the Father would reward recompense, or payback, those who practice this spiritual discipline called fasting. And Jesus expected those listening to fast; he said WHEN you fast not IF you fast. The bible shows the history of men, women and peoples who prayed and fasted and God rewarded them openly.
- Judges 20:26--Israel fasted for victory in war.
- 1 Sam. 1:6-7--Hannah fasted for a son, God gave her a great man of God
- 1 Kings 21:27--Evil king Ahab fasted for mercy, and God spares his life
- 2 Chron. 20:3--Jehoshaphat and Israel fasted for help and protection, the city is delivered from complete destruction.
- Ezra 8:21-23--Ezra and the people fasted for help and protection, and God gives it
- Nehemiah 1:4--Nehemiah fasted in mourning and for help upon Jerusalem, God supplies money and resources
- Esther 4:16--God's people fast and are delivered from destruction.
- Isaiah 58:6-8--The fast which pleases God and rewards
- Joel 1:14; 2:12,15--God commanded fasting and repentance
- Jonah 3:5--The Ninevites fasted in repentance for mercy, and God spaired their city
- Daniel 9:3--Daniel fasted for wisdom, and God gave it.
- Matthew 4:2--Jesus fasted when tempted in the wilderness, as He began His minstry
- Matthew 6:17-18--Jesus promised that the Father would bless fasting
- Matthew 9:14-15--Jesus said his disciples would fast
- Matthew 17:21--Fasting is necessary for overcoming some demonic strongholds
- Luke 2:37--Fasting was part of Anna's service to God, and she saw her answer
- Acts 13:2--the church leaders fasted and prayed and God gave them direction
We as a church have seen God the Father reward many people and many times those who have sought Him with prayer and fasting. Restored and refreshed fellowship with God, healings, restoration, deliverance from addictions, financial breakthroughs, and just time of drqwing close to God.
This new year is a great time to set the course of your life towards God. Jesus said if we would “seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, that all these things (things people are killing themselves to get) would be added to us." The church I pastor, International Christian Center, as well as many others will be setting aside 21 days to fast and pray. I invite you to check the weekly bible readings and prayer targets at iccenter.org- pray and set the direction for 2008! He is a REWARDER!