READ:
ISAIAH 58:6-12
“Is not this the fast
that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to do the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to
deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to
your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not
yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
God expects certain things from his children when they are fasting. If they fulfil those expectations, their fast will yield good results. In Isaiah 58, there is a list of 23 things you can do during a fast. Some of these are obligations to yourself, some are obligations to others and some are obligations to God. There are nine obligations you owe God and his Sabbath (or in our case, Sundays); and ten obligations to others in general, and the poor and needy in particular. If you take care to meet these obligations, your fasting will definitely produce good results.
A period of fasting is a time of consecration – a time during which you take your attention off the things around you and focus on God. It is a time of self-denial, a period in which you suspend the things that give you physical pleasure, and avoid the things that your flesh craves. It is a time to nurture and enrich your spirit with God’s Word, prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit.
Fasting should be a decision of your will. If you desire to fast for more than one day, it is good to prayerfully prepare and commit those days to God before you start. It is a time to be reserved – a time to avoid frivolous talk, jesting, gossiping and backbiting. It is also a time to give to others the best you have to offer and to release those who have offended you. Are you ready to engage in fruitful fasts?
God expects certain things from his children when they are fasting. If they fulfil those expectations, their fast will yield good results. In Isaiah 58, there is a list of 23 things you can do during a fast. Some of these are obligations to yourself, some are obligations to others and some are obligations to God. There are nine obligations you owe God and his Sabbath (or in our case, Sundays); and ten obligations to others in general, and the poor and needy in particular. If you take care to meet these obligations, your fasting will definitely produce good results.
A period of fasting is a time of consecration – a time during which you take your attention off the things around you and focus on God. It is a time of self-denial, a period in which you suspend the things that give you physical pleasure, and avoid the things that your flesh craves. It is a time to nurture and enrich your spirit with God’s Word, prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit.
Fasting should be a decision of your will. If you desire to fast for more than one day, it is good to prayerfully prepare and commit those days to God before you start. It is a time to be reserved – a time to avoid frivolous talk, jesting, gossiping and backbiting. It is also a time to give to others the best you have to offer and to release those who have offended you. Are you ready to engage in fruitful fasts?
MEMORIZE:
2 CHRONICLES 15:7 –Be you strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for
your work shall be rewarded.
