I like a wide variety of foods. My husband on the other hand likes only a few foods – lobster and chocolate top his short list of favorites. I really like to eat. CJ doesn’t care that much about eating, unless of course, lobster or chocolate are being served. It’s difficult for me to miss a meal. Not for CJ. He actually forgets to eat meals at times!
Now I’m guessing more people can identify with me than with my husband. If so, maybe some of you can also relate to me when it comes to my practice of fasting. Sadly, it’s been the one spiritual discipline I’ve ignored the most in Scripture and applied the least in my life.
In God’s Word, though, it is clear that fasting is expected. This discipline is to be a part of every Christian’s life. For example, Jesus instructs those listening to His Sermon on the Mount with the words: “When you fast….” (Matt. 6:16-17). He did not say, “If you fast.” Jesus assumes that we will fast.
Why then, do we neglect to fast? Perhaps we don’t fully grasp the purpose of fasting and the blessings that result from fasting.
Yet to do anything Jesus calls us to do—in this case, fasting—is to find true satisfaction and delight. As the prophet Jeremiah discovered: “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jer. 15:16).
Scripture spreads out a feast of grace for "fasters." And that’s one feast I don’t want to miss out on!
More on the grace of fasting tomorrow…
