Isaiah 58:6-8 "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (7) Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (8) Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."
We do not hear as much about fasting as we used to. Is there a reason for that?
Some may believe that it is not taught in the New Testament. Some may choose to
overlook it because it puts us in a place where we are uncomfortable. I
believe fasting is a subject that is very personal and should be on a personal
level. I have been burdened to fast on a few occasions during my ministry. I
found that when the Lord placed it upon my heart to do so, that He was
preparing me for a big change in life. I came to the understanding that fasting
was not a means whereby we try to change the Lord's mind about something.
Rather, it is to prepare us and place us in the position of truly being able to
say, "Thy will be done in my life."
The people of Israel apparently had placed fasting in the
category of a ritual that was to be done without truly realizing the meaning of
doing it. A true fast is to take our thoughts away from ourselves and
place them on the Lord. It is to lay aside something in order to spend that
time in fervent prayer unto the Lord seeking His will. God tells us that
when we can indeed turn our thoughts away from self to the Lord and to others,
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring
forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the
LORD shall be thy rereward." This teaching seems to go hand in hand
with the New Testament teaching, "Humble yourselves therefore under the
mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Lord, help me to lay myself out of the way in order to seek your Face and
walk in your will.