Habits of Effective Disciples: Fasting

Disciples fast to seek God and His purpose.

Have you ever fasted? Many believers have never fasted even though our Lord spoke in the Sermon on the Mount, "... And WHEN you fast" (Matt 6:16). There are two dangers in this matter, one is going beyond God's commands and the other is neglecting His commands. Which one best describes us today?

In Scripture God's people fasted to focus upon Him. Sometimes they fasted in time of great crisis. At other times, disciples of Christ fasted to gain discernment and wisdom. In both Testaments we find powerful examples of God responding to the needs of His people as they consecrate themselves in times of fasting.

FAST IN THE FACE OF FEAR

2 Chronicles 20:1-15

Among the political leaders of ancient Judah, Jehoshaphat stands out as a godly king. His commitment to God did not exempt him and his people from challenges. On one occasion nearly all of his enemies gathered together against him at once, to have greater numbers to defeat Judah in war. Some of the king's advisers warned him about the vast army approaching and in his alarm the king commanded a fast. This fast had a unifying effect on the people (2 Chronicles 20:3-4). It was a time of earnestly seeking help from the Lord. In this case, fasting led to a profound declaration of dependence on God.

When God's people fast, every hunger pain and moment of discomfort reminds us of our dependence on Him. The king's confession prayer still guides us today: “...we have no might to face this great company that cometh against us: neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." (20:12).

God did not answer the king in an audible voice on this occasion. Instead, He spoke as He often speaks today, through one of His messengers. He gave His answer to a man named Jahaziel who promised God would be with His people in the crisis.

Jehoshaphat bowed and the people stood up and praised God, singing songs to His power and thanks for His answer. God delivered them in the battle and afterward the people gathered for worship and thanks. All of this redemption began with a simple fast.

When we try to survive on spiritual scraps we learn once more that following His commands, all of His commands, is needed to experience full disciple life.

Fasting is about the individual and God. It is not a weight loss program. It is not a way to impress others. It is the next logical step in our effort to draw closer to the Lord and to demonstrate that as His disciples, we are aware that we should be only dependent

on Him.

Prayer is the reaching out for God and His unseen power for our lives. Fasting is letting go of all that is seen and worldly. It helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm that we are ready to sacrifice a portion of our lives in worship of Him.

How does God reward us as disciples for good spiritual choices? As a real reward, greater than any worldly reward, He gives us more of Himself. When we fast we are reminded of how empty we are and how only The Lord can satisfy our souls.

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS WHEN WE FAST

Acts 13:1-4

A core group of leaders emerged in the early church. These leaders fasted and prayed. The early church ministered to God and did indeed fast, and they were able to receive and respond to His direction.

Through the focus of this fast, the church not only knew God's will but did His will.

Matthew 17:20-21 teaches us in the words of Jesus, that neglecting to fast diminishes the spiritual power of the disciple, even reducing it to unbelief.

When we fast, we discover that God's work becomes our work. Jesus fasted to begin his mission to save the world. The disciples were fasting when they heard God's voice to continue that work of making disciples of many nations.

When we fast, we hear Him better. When we act as His disciples in the way we live our lives as testimonies to Him, we are drawn closer to Him as we accept that God's bread of eternal life is better than man's bread of daily life.

FELLOWSHIP

THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE FORMS OF FELLOWSHIP TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE:

FIRST, FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN CHRIST

1 COR 1-9.

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord".

SECOND, FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS

PS 119:63

"I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that observe thy precepts".

THIRD, FELLOWSHIP WITH THE NEEDY

1 THESS 5:14

“…encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all…”.