I have a Hunch...

Maybe fasting is more than just a commandment from Jesus. (Matt. 6:16-18)

Maybe, just maybe there is a deeper reason fasting is practiced throughout scripture. 



 On a wooden bench at Texas A&M University God revealed something to me.  Something that I have overlooked until now.  Something that took me to long to grasp.  Something that is sort of...obvious.

-Fasting is a representation of the GOSPEL.
   
    Allow these words bounce between your ears for a few moments...

The bible says that in my very nature [lies] sin and a desire to do evil. (Rom 3:23) (Psalm 51:5)
Praise GOD I have placed my faith in Christ and I have become an adopted son grafted into His plan of redemption. (Rom 10:39)

Thus, Jesus Christ’s blood has made me righteous before God.  (Colossians 1:15) (Romans 5:9)

Which means...
    -His strengths cover my weakness
    -His righteousness fills in the gaps of my unrighteousness
    -His strong Spirit pours over my weak flesh
    -His forgiveness overcomes my sin

Is this not the same when we fast?

Let us explore:
I think we can agree that neglecting to eat food = abnormal!  Denying the flesh, exposing weakness, and having little physical strength is the point of a fast.

But, why?

So that God can provide the rest.  As we humble ourselves and recognize our need for energy, strength, joy; we lean on The Lord to provide.  We realize our true depravity and how much we desperately need God’s presence and provision.


Think about all of the unrepentant sin, wickedness, and idols that reigned in Israel.  The Israelites did NOT act like they were in desperate need of a holy God.  The God of Jacob has the perfect father-heart.  And what does a father want most from his child?  A father wants to know that he can help, fix, and feel needed.  God’s heart is no more complex.  He just wants us to be dependent on Him.  At the end of the day God wants his children to be sustained solely by Him.

So I can say that God is honored when we take ownership of the gospel and fast.  The gospel is beautiful - We become nothing. He becomes everything.

So I exhort: When you fast, remember YOUR desperation and HIS faithfulness.

“Fasting helps express, deepens, confirms the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.”
-Andrew Murray

Lessons from Mama's Pride

   
I am currently 19 years old and I have a younger sister at the age of 17.  It would be an understatement to say that my mother loves her children.  Not only that, but my mom takes a lot of pride in her children.  She always has told my sister and I, “You are not average because you are my kids!”  I always smiled, laughed, and shrugged off the corny “mama talk”.  But then I realized that her feelings for her children parallel with someone else I know...

That someone is the God of Adam, Abraham, & Jacob. Jesus.    

   I will attempt bring you into my mind for a little while in the hopes of conveying a “breakthrough” that occurred amidst my worshipping of God. I had just read the words “Sin leads to death. Jesus dies for your sin. You are in a war. Be a man. Put your sin to death.”  While worshipping to music, a thought occurred to me (probably brought forth by God).  It went something like this:

   “You can put your Sin to death...because YOU are special”  In one instance it all clicked.  I am His [God’s], adopted child. Now, I am NOT pretending to understand the affection a parent has for their children.  I am simply asserting that God revealed more of himself to me today. It was like the Lord whispered in my ear, “Child, you are mine.  You share my blood and YOU DON’T act like others who are not mine. You are set apart.”

   It was then that I remembered the pride my mother had for my sister and I. All of the times she told us that we we’re above average, hard-working and intelligent like her and special.  

Thank you mother for helping me better understand the Kingdom of God. Thank you God for calling me your child.

And so it is with the Lord, God of Hosts. 

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)