Warriors Arise: January 14, 2024
Matthew 6:15a “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance..."
Fasting is not about being sad. While you fast, you may hear the Spirit of God speak to You more clearly. This may cause sadness because you might be convicted of your sins, disobedience and lack of deepening your relationship with God. If so, then repent. Be grateful you are making your relationship right with God and in a position to pursue what He is saying to your right now.
Fasting is about deepening our relationship with God. Fasting is about making the time to develop our relationship with God. He desires to be involved in your life. Many times we have to fast in order to set aside the time to hear God. Food can get in the way. If you have been or are addicted to food, like I was, then when while fasting you will be challenged with thinking you can't do this. It becomes more about giving up that particular food you need to give up while you are meeting with God rather than looking forward to being sanctified and positioned before God. This can cause sadness of heart like it did for me.
I remember when my husband said we were going to fast of 24 hours. My heart started to race, my eyes got big and my mind said I would never make it. Last thing I wanted to do was fail God. I felt if I ate while I was to be fasting I would fail God. This should have revealed to me that I had a food addiction. It was kind of a comical conversation with my husband. I asked, "Can I eat as soon as the 24 hours are up or do I have to wait until the next morning?"
He siad I could eat as soon as the 24 hours were up. But when the 24 hours were done, I had been so blessed by God, food was not my focus. I didn't want to eat. I wanted to celebrate what God had taken me through in that 24 hour period. We celebrated, without food, I went to bed and ate the next day.
My time before the Lord was precious and I desired more. I felt purified. There was crying for my sins. My heart was strengthened by God's encouragement. My mind was focused and I could identify my Father's voice with clarity. There was rejoicing and celebration. There was a new game plan and instructions. There was peace. I had met with God and it was fulfilling, more than any food I had ever eaten.
Fasting helped, and continues to help me clean up things in my life. When I enter into fasting to be with God, it always produces joy.
My Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. You are amazing in all of Your ways. You call me to Yourself. Your Word cleanses me and Your presence fills me with joy. I worship You. I will not be sad when I know I need to set time aside to fast and be with You. I will rejoice that You want this time and You want it to be pure. Thank You for Your amazing love and desire to be with me. Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, in Jesus' name amen!
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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