The Holy One calls to me this morning. I have to begin without my early morning shot
of caffeine because today is a day to fast.
I try to hide my head under the pillow and go back to
sleep but the Holy Spirit insists that I get up: “Understand why I call you to fast.
I want you to be in control of your flesh so you can receive more of my
wisdom, which is more truth”.
Jesus fasted. As
I ponder His command and model, the why of it leads me to understand how my
flesh dictates can over-rule Divine input.
Flesh control leads to flesh pampering and flesh pampering leads to a
carnal lifestyle.
Paul said in I Corinthians 9:27 that he beats up his
body to make it his slave. It is interesting
to note that in our days of mega information about health, we learn that
fasting has a health benefit as well as a spiritual one as modelled by our
Lord
Reading about the life of Jesus when He walked the
earth reveals that fasting was His regular routine. We associate fasting mostly to His word to
the Disciples when they tried and failed to exorcize a demon out of a young
boy.
After He rebukes them for their unbelief and talks
about the faith of a mustard seed that can move mountains, He said in Matt
17:21, “However this kind does not come out without prayer and fasting.”
A closer look for me is to see that fasting in some
mysterious way, takes us into the place of Divine wisdom to understand how to
co-operate with the move of God in the situations we face in our world.
A recall of the life in the Garden before the fall
reminds me that man was created to co-labor with God in the government (tending)
of His created world. For that we need a relationship with the
Creator to gain His wisdom in the management of our lives. This is why we need
to get past our human minds now tainted by the toxic fruit of “human” knowledge
of good and evil and into the place of Divine wisdom from the One who knows all
things.
The Holy Spirit continues to show me truth:
The Disciples did not know that the unbelief of the
father was at least in part the cause of the demonic control of the child. Jesus told them that this kind of demonic
influence would not be obliterated without prayer and fasting on their part. Straight up, they needed Divine wisdom to set
the boy and his father free.
As I look over the principle of prayer and fasting it
seems they both go together and appear in example by Godly people seeking Godly
wisdom. It requires a personal discipline
by the “fast-ee” to give something up
to gain something better. That something
better for me is “Divine wisdom” to process and re-act to the challenges that
our Heavenly kingdom battle against evil forces presents.
There are all kinds of excuses our flesh will deliver
and we will accept as reasons not to fast.
But by capitulating to our flesh, I believe we miss out on great things
that might empower us in the realm of the spirit where God initiates His moves.
A fasting discipline can begin slow and low but must
start with the thought of consistency and getting stronger as we see and feel
the benefits in body and spirit. And in
truth, we must be prepared with patience to wait upon the Lord as we fast. Just
as a body builder does not see the results of their discipline in the first hour
of training, I must be diligent and not give up.
My experience is that at first my stomach growls at me
and makes me miserable. If that doesn’t work,
my head starts to hurt and reminds me that the physical pain will subside if I
just drink a cup of my beloved coffee or eat some sugar.
If that doesn’t draw me out of the discipline, then
the “liar” starts his round of assaults mocking my efforts as stupid or futile
and pointless. Then comes the threat and
danger to my health that such risky behavior will surely bring. Subtle whispers in my ear trying to get me to
cave.
Then all that mumbo-jumbo leaves and impatience begins
to set in. I want to see an immediate
result for my huge “sacrifice”, in the form of an instant Divine word or
resolution to the vexing situation I am dealing with.
If the missed meal whether one or many doesn’t
translate to a major change or event, the previous lies become even more believable
and I am tempted to confess, “This fasting thing just doesn’t work for me”.
The question I ask myself is whether the fast has
drawn me into the Lord’s presence and whether my perspective has been changed
or affirmed. The real spiritual purpose I find to the discipline of regular fasting
is to draw closer to the Father Heart of God, to hear His voice more clearly
and to grasp His purpose more willingly.
The good will of Heaven is in our eternal best interest and not
necessarily our temporal pleasure.
Fasting takes me past flesh considerations for the
time to seek the Father’s will just as Jesus told us to do. Fasting is a way we crucify our flesh and
surrender it to the ruling authority of the Holy Spirit. The benefits of fasting far outweigh the pain
of missing a meal.
I have questioned the real purpose of fasting over the
years. I have come to many thoughts and
drawn many conclusions The highway of
Holiness provides many way stations of refreshment as we navigate the ups and
downs of life. Spiritual maturity is a
process and not, I might add, a fast one.
Today the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to the fact
that fasting is an act of obedience and shown me the importance and relationship
fasting is to gaining His wisdom. In
this chaotic world that seems to be under a blanket of dark deception, the
truth and wisdom of God is not something we dare be caught without.
The Spirit is calling.
Can you hear Him?
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