The Fast and The Faithful

According to Wikipedia, Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. It is usually done for a defined period of time (usually 24 hours) or several days. But what does the abstinence of food is all about? A show of sacrifice? A pious act to those who sees you?


As I had a conversation with a friend, I was anxious with the idea of considering fasting as an act of punishing oneself for the sins that we have done. Worse it was mistaken to be an alternative for a diet plan. duh! Yes indeed, in the old testament, David fast to plead with God to spare his child (2 Samuel12:16) It's a way of repenting to sins in the old times but, but as we are redeemed and is now living with grace through the crucifixion of Jesus, fasting is a way to have that closer step into His heart. 
Fasting is not just merely abstinence from food or water, but a decision to fully obey God's commands to care for the poor and oppressed. (Isaiah 58:6-7) To loose the bond of wickedness and pursue a closer relationship to our Lord and Savior.


It would also be useless to do fasting if we know that there are greater spiritual issues in our life to deal with. What did it matter to the Lord if we give up eating a meat or our favorite dessert, if our heart is at odds with Him and some other people? I stumbled with an author, teacher and pastor named William Arthur Ward who gave a realization with a meaningful fast.

Fast From-Feast On

• Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
• Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life.
• Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.
• Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
• Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.
• Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
• Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
• Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
• Fast from worry; Feast on divine order.
• Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.
• Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives.
• Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer.
• Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance.
• Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
• Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.
• Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.
• Fast from discouragements; Feast on hope.
• Fast from facts that depress; Feast on verities that uplift.
• Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.
• Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.
• Fast from shadows of sorrow; Feast on the sunlight of serenity.
• Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
• Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that [strengthens].

—William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994.)

This, I recommend that we do all year round. I know it's difficult as I myself is honestly struggling with it. But I know that with the grace of the Lord everything is possible. (Mark 10:27) Furthermore, just like food abstinence, this disciplines will help keep us young, relaxed and free from negative baggages. By doing so, we are not just spiritually renewed but rather we are faithfully walking the life that we have once promised to our Lord. Remember the difference between the fast and the faithful :)

Who has the last say?

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) 

     When I was taking scuba diving lessons in the early 90's, I got a jaw injury. After a lesson, I discovered that I couldn't open my mouth. I had to pry out the mouthpiece of the scuba gear that I used for breathing.

     I went to see a dentist and he told me the grim news. "You can't dive anymore"

     I was devastated. I was just about to get my certification to become scuba diver and here he was telling me that I had to quit .

     For a month I couldn't open my mouth. I had to use a teaspoon to eat because it was the only thing big enough to get through.

     I prayed, "Lord, Your Word is higher than the doctor's word.  What you say has more weight than what a health professional says. So I put my trust in you instead of the doctor's diagnosis and I believe you are healing my jaw."

     And I did get my healing - as well as my certification as a scuba diver!

____

This excerpt from author Rissa Singson-Kawpeng's book "Discover Your Inner Beauty Queen" reminds me of how great and powerful our Lord is. But despite our knowledge of His word, we often allow man's word to supersede the authority of God's Word. Here are a few examples:

When the doctor tells us our sickness is incurable, we take his word for it.

When someone tells us that what we want to achieve is impossible, we believe him.

When our bank account balance tells us we don't have enough money to support our needs, we despair.

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, apostle Paul shares to us that "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

When it feels like the entire universe is conspiring against what you desire to achieve, we can simply listen to it and give up. Or we can put our full trust and faith to the God of the Impossible (Mark 10:27) who created the universe itself (Hebrews 11:3).

When our finances are going downhill, we can panic or we can put our faith in the Lord who richly provides us with everything we need. As it is said in Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus".

When medical tests prove that we have serious illness, we can believe what science tells us about our body, or we can stand on the truth that by Jesus' blood we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 "but He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by His wounds we are HEALED")

This is why it's important to know His Word. We need to know His promises for the situations we face then claim it for ourselves. "Ask and it will be given to you"- Matthew 7:7, "...you do not receive because you do not ask God" James 4:2

So cheer up and claim that life filled with the Lord's bountiful grace and blessing! 

In Mark 11:24 and Matthew 21:22 it is very clear:

PRAY, BELIEVE and RECEIVE!