We are on day two of a seven day corporate fast and all I can think of is food; yep, even dreamt about it last night. The benefits of fasting…let me recount them…um…right now I’m not feeling anything but a hungry stomach. So, why fast?
A simple answer: Jesus did (and said we would). In the midst of his forty day fast he said. Matthew 4:4 “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jesus also says that His food is to do the will of the Father. I want to be filled with the word of God, to eat the scroll. I want to learn what it is like to be fed by the word of God. Of course you do not have to fast to receive revelation and life from the word of God, but it does position my heart to receive more and to become tenderized. In my journey of understanding fasting I know that fasting does not earn us anything before God. All of our righteousness is like filthy rags to God. What fasting does is draw me closer to God. Fasting starves out (exposes) the cravings and desires that I run to to satisfy my barren soul. Rather than fill my mind and emotions with the Truth of the Word of God, physical comfort screams as a solution or rather functions as a noise to drown out the sound of my need for God. Sure there is a natural need for food. I will surely die if I don’t eat after some days. But, we are told to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things (physical needs) will be added unto us” (Mt 6.33). I want to seek the Kingdom of God first. What is the Kingdom of God? The answer in short- God’s dominion coming to earth- when Jesus comes to set up His leadership and sits as King on His throne. Matthew 9:15 says “Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Truly our Bridegroom King has been taken from us. His leaving was necessary for us to receive the Holy Spirit (John 16.7). But He is coming back. Until then, I’m using the wisdom of God- fast now, to feast later. I do not want to put my hope and comfort in this world. Fasting reminds me to look higher, to look to Jesus to satisfy me. As great as the pleasures of this world look, no matter how innocent- even a needed meal- there is a greater feast to be had. I long for the day of the wedding super of the Lamb. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come Lord, Jesus, come!’” (Rev. 22.17-20)
Wow – this article really hit home. This weekend I have turned to consumerism (shopping), relationships (boyfriend), food (holiday parties) and everything besides the Lord – and I still feel barren. How I long to “seek first the kingdom of God”, yet I am so weak and lazy that old patterns, ones taught me by my very parents and loved ones climb to the top of my list.
Jennifer, how good to hear such words in the season which we call Christ-mas but somehow have come to celebrate as more of a materialistic-mas (or however that word would be written, you get the point) Thanks for your thoughts they are always a breath of fresh air : )