The glory of fasting
Fasting days increase our closeness to God. When one humbles himself before the Lord to fast, the Lord shows His grace upon him. He who clings to the Lord will never be ashamed.
In Matthew 4:1-11, we read that Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days without eating or drinking.
Matthew 17:21 “This kind of devil will not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Jesus said the above to his disciples when they tried to cast out the devil and failed.
When the Lord wanted to destroy the people of Nineveh, He sent Jonah to save them. Then we see that the people of Nineveh sat in ashes before the Lord and prayed. Their animals also didnt take a any food . God saved the people of Nineveh. Fasting days purify us.
To fulfill God’s will, we must humble ourselves before Him and submit.
2 Chronicles 20:3 “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid, and devoted himself to seeking the Lord, and ordered all Judah to fast.” King Jehoshaphat, when his enemies, the children of Ammon, the Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir came against him and his kingdom, he fasted to the Lord that day because he was afraid.
Then he prayed to the Lord that we do not know what they should do. He said that our eyes are on you. All the tribes of Judah, their wives, their children, and their sons also humbled themselves before the Lord and stood before him. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
The Lord looked upon his people. He poured out his Spirit on Levi. He said, “Do not be afraid of this multitude of people who have come against you. The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.
” Then the Lord destroyed Jehoshaphat’s enemies. The Lord gave great salvation to Jehoshaphat and his people.
Fasting is one of the special spiritual sacrifices we offer to the Lord. To God be the glory.
Sol. Mathan