Rewards of Fasting
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.... "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
(Isaiah 58:8-11)
.... And for those who seek Him in fastings often, and lay down their lives for others from a pure motive (perhaps including prayer for their enemies) -- yet another revelation may be glimpsed, far off in the distance:.... Perhaps, through a sincere time of fasting, they may find their first glimpse of the heart of a martyr who has seen something of much greater importance than is own life. What an overwhelming thought that God Himself might be glorified, or even that He could be glorified, through merest mortals such as ourselves.
.... With this revelation comes a sense of great humility and yet of great honor, that we may be counted worthy of such a thing, for His glory. For martyrs have seen, through indescribable suffering, a glimpse of God’s own eternal purpose in just such a way, in the very purpose that He fulfilled in Christ.
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Daily Bible Reading: Romans 3
posted by loren at 12:02 AM
4 Comments:
Most modern teachings on fasting focus on the health and nutritional benefits. It is true, for health reasons, that fasting can be good for you, though you should not overdo it. But that is not the main purpose of fasting. In fact, that can be a strictly humanistic version that worships the temple of the Lord rather than the Lord of the temple, and misses the main point.
By
loren, at 10/20/2005 11:47 PM
I think too that often times people do expect some sort of revelation, revealing of God to them when they fast. Christ does everything on his own timing. He is always listening, but we have to be patient and humble before him. But like you said, we can have an amazing sense of glory to God as we are so focused on him and are so blessed to be his.
By
anne, at 10/21/2005 12:27 PM
Yes Loren especially here in the First World but not so in the third world No ,people have really seen and experienced God's might hand through fasting and praying. I have also come to realise that by fasting we are not breaking the hand of God to do what we want, No but it benefits me by humbling me to say YES Lord and to be in line with HIs will. I love your study Loren
By
Anonymous, at 10/21/2005 3:31 PM
Hi Dorcas,
Good to hear from you again! Actually you just brought up a point that I wanted to make, but I could never figure out how to fit it in.
When we are fasting for someone, we are seeking a way within God's will (even His permissive will) to help them, but we're certainly not twisting God's arm or anything. He is sovereign, so all we can do is seek a way that He can agree with.
When we fast because of a selfish desire, and we think we're twisting His arm to get our way, why would God honor that pouting attitude? It's really not a fast at all. It's really more of a hunger strike.
Thanks for bringing that up!
By
loren, at 10/21/2005 4:47 PM
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