True Fasting Favorable To God

What fasting is favorable to God? Is there a fasting that God is looking for, and a fasting that is less favorable to God? What does a true fast look like? 

Our fasting should be in service to God. A fast that is self-serving and self-gratifying is not a fast at all. 

God desires a fast that is beneficial to his kingdom work in the world. 

When we fast in light of God’s kingdom work, we align our heart with the heart of God. When God’s kingdom benefits from our fast, we benefit from the kingdom of God in the world and in our lives. 

God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah, saying, “Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; 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.’” (Isaiah 58:5-9b, ESV). 

Fasting begins with humility. We humble ourselves before God in offering ourselves and our service to God and God’s kingdom work. 

Instead of outward superficial fasting and trappings of symbologies, God desires an inward fast of the heart of his people. God desires for us to engage in a true fast where we engage in his kingdom work of giving liberty to the captives of sin, and freedom for the burdened. God desires for us to aid in the release of the oppressed, to participate in the smashing of implements and systems of persecution. God desires the feeding of the hungry, the housing of the homeless, the covering of the naked, and the provision for our need and the need of our family. We are to shine the light of God and his kingdom into the darkness of this world. 

When we seek a true fast that is pleasing to the heart of God, we are blessed beyond measure and we receive the healing our hearts so desperately need. When we seek a true fast that is favorable to God, we bring God glory as righteousness goes forth into the world. When we seek a true fast that is favorable to God, our cries and our prayers to God are heard and answered. 

May we seek a true fast which is favorable to God, may we cry out to God in our faith-filled action in his kingdom work in the world, and as we call on him, may we hear him say, ‘Here I am.’” (Isaiah 58:9b, ESV). 

A Collect for Ash Wednesday: “Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

Flourish 365: March is now available! Download Flourish 365, a free #Devotional book for each month, a devotional for each day of the year, by subscribing here: www.robbiepruitt.com/devotionals/encountering-gods-transformation #BibleStudy #bibleverse #transformation #transfiguration