Hebrew: Sum; To cover, protect, yield, allow or
give up! It’s the act of purging or removing oneself of or from something!
Greek: Nesteuo; To abstain,
withdraw/withhold, leave alone and deprive oneself for a specific purpose!
Biblical Fasting is the
Humble ART of Acknowledging The ALL-Sufficiency and Sovereignty of God by
submitting oneself to the self-discipline of withdrawing from the natural
affections, desires and even cravings of the human experience. It’s the
Spiritual Act of Humility whereby we communicate to God (through The Discipline
of Fasting) that we know full-well that what we have, what we are and what we
even hope to be is absolutely nothing without the urgent flow of HIS Blessing
and Sufficiency in/through our lives!
Biblical Fasting, because of
the discipline of self-depravity, is meant to conclude ONE need, ONE desire and
ONE purpose: The Fullness of The Presence of God! It says we need The Lord in
our lives as well as in our circumstances, because nothing else measures up in
any way whatsoever!
The Bible records many
examples of people who Fasted for various reasons. Here are a few examples…
Moses;
Exodus 34:28
Elijah; 1st
Kings 19:8Daniel; Daniel 9:3-4; 10:2-3
Paul; 2nd Corinthians 11:27
Jesus; Matthew 4:2
Now there are also incorrect
ways of Fasting! Jesus warned of pious, self-righteous attitudes and
dispositions of pride (to be seen and/or appear highly spiritual in some way). See
Isaiah 58:1-10; Matthew 6:16-18
Remember, this is a
discipline of HUMILITY, not of pride, self-righteousness or boasting of any
kind! In fact, we should also hope to learn the lessons of Forgiveness,
Reconciliation and Repentance when we Fast. The ONLY day of Fasting Commanded
by God in the Old Testament was The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27 ; see also Acts 27:9)
Daniel was a great example of
“Repentant Fasting” (Daniel 9:3-4), as was Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:1-2)
“…Draw nigh to God, and HE
Will draw nigh to you… Cleanse your hands, ye sinners and purify your hearts ye
double minded….” James 4:8
Many Blessings!
Keep WINNING!
Roc
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