Fasting in the Bible Day 8: Isaiah Part 2

Choose God’s way of fasting and see what He will do:

Then your light will break out like the dawn. Your recovery will happen quickly. Your right living will be known by others. The glory of the LORD will protect your back. You will call and the LORD will answer. You will cry for help and He will say, “Here I am.”

Then light will shine on you in the middle of your darkness, and your gloom will become bright like the noonday sun. The LORD will continually guide you. He will satisfy your desire in places you think you burned your bridges. He will give strength to your body. You will feel like a garden watered with a spring whose flow never fails.

Then you will be able to rebuild ruined things. You will raise up old foundations. You will be called the repairer of the breached wall and the restorer of the streets you live on.

When keeping the Sabbath, restrain yourself from doing only what you want to do, it is My holy day. Count honoring the Sabbath as a pleasure and stop doing your own thing, seeking your own pleasure, and saying whatever you want.

Then you will find unexpected delight in the LORD. You will ride high and feel significant. He will nurture you. Your family will keep you strong. The LORD has spoken. Isaiah 58: 8 – 14

The world may think that the best result of fasting is losing weight, gaining health and exhibiting control over our bodies. And those things can be great outcomes! But spiritual fasting has different objectives and often, different practical ways to design a fast.

For more information about designing a spiritual fast, here is a link to some articles that can help:

Read about a 30 Day Fast.

This second part of Isaiah 58 highlights some spiritual results of fasting, then:

Recovery. Right living. God’s protection. God’s answers. God’s presence.

Freedom from depression. Guidance. A new start. Strength. Nourishment.

The ability and opportunities to rebuild, raise up, repair, and restore your life and others.

A stronger commitment and directions for keeping the Sabbath.

Spiritual joy. Significance. Strength.

Pray about identifying an upcoming opportunity in your life for a short-term or longer-term fast.

From the list above, what is the most important thing you need to focus on with God for your life?

Find the sentence or phrase in Isaiah 58 that talks about that and use it to name your fast.

For example,

Focus: I need to rebuild my relationship with my sister.

Verse: You will be able to rebuild ruined things.

Fast name: My Rebuilding Fast.

Holy God, You place importance on fasting and connecting with You. Show me how. Show me when. I want to experience Your work in my life and in others. Help me to fast for You alone. Amen.