sokin's devotional 44 - a "fasted" lifestyle
"is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen..."
Isaiah 58:5-7
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Fasting is a spiritual discipline which many people forsake and run away from because the thought of not eating or doing away with something so routine in our lives is a scary thought.
Trust me...I am not a regular faster..and when I do it, I must confess that I don't do it joyfully.
But a couple of quick insights that I received from looking at this passage:
Is this not the type of fasting God desires: (taken from the text but my paraphrases)
- loose chains of injustice
- untie cords of yoked / break the yoke
- set oppressed free
- share food with hungry
- clothe the naked
Basically, to go out of your comfort zone...to forsake and "fast" from your normal way of living and instead living one that honors God by loving Him and loving people with His love.
Love God, love others, to His glory.
It is this type of fasting God desires..not necessarily the one where we starve to death - if the fasting doesn't produce an attitude of change in our hearts that reflects the true character and love of God, then our fasting can be for naught and simply a discipline in starving yourself and seeing how long you can bear it.
Fasting, therefore is not meant for us to use as a way to get what we want...but fasting should be a means to get God... where we are able to see how corrupt our desires are, and how our desires needs to be shifted into greater things.
And the promise here is that when we have this "fasted" lifestyle, that God will always be our nourishment and our joy.
Fasting will become a delight!
"The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be a like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail. (v.11)"
"...then you will find your joy in the Lord. (v.14)"
Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen..."
Isaiah 58:5-7
---
Fasting is a spiritual discipline which many people forsake and run away from because the thought of not eating or doing away with something so routine in our lives is a scary thought.
Trust me...I am not a regular faster..and when I do it, I must confess that I don't do it joyfully.
But a couple of quick insights that I received from looking at this passage:
Is this not the type of fasting God desires: (taken from the text but my paraphrases)
- loose chains of injustice
- untie cords of yoked / break the yoke
- set oppressed free
- share food with hungry
- clothe the naked
Basically, to go out of your comfort zone...to forsake and "fast" from your normal way of living and instead living one that honors God by loving Him and loving people with His love.
Love God, love others, to His glory.
It is this type of fasting God desires..not necessarily the one where we starve to death - if the fasting doesn't produce an attitude of change in our hearts that reflects the true character and love of God, then our fasting can be for naught and simply a discipline in starving yourself and seeing how long you can bear it.
Fasting, therefore is not meant for us to use as a way to get what we want...but fasting should be a means to get God... where we are able to see how corrupt our desires are, and how our desires needs to be shifted into greater things.
And the promise here is that when we have this "fasted" lifestyle, that God will always be our nourishment and our joy.
Fasting will become a delight!
"The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be a like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail. (v.11)"
"...then you will find your joy in the Lord. (v.14)"
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