Why do we fast? Do we stay off food in order to feel spiritual or as a response to a religious calendar? Both scenarios are good but not good enough if we are to learn any lessons from Isaiah 58. I believe our motives for fasting are as important as our actions and lifestyle exhibited during such periods. We cant for example fast primarily because we want to take over somebodys place or possession. We cant also fast while harboring bitterness and quarreling with others. We cant claim to be fasting when we have no compassion and are given to corruption. Fasting is a time when we feed our spirit man in order to be led by the Spirit in all things. We therefore have to make time to pray and meditate upon the Word of God, lest we are simply starving. When we are truly led by the Spirit, our actions will exemplify Christ, and the world will be a better place. Lets not deceive ourselves by fasting while practicing vice for even evil people fast in order to carry out their evil desires. Lets bear fruits worthy of believers who fast. And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” (1 Kings 21:4-10 ESV)
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:30:26 +0000
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