Fast Prep Day 1: God’s Fast

Isaiah 58: 1-9

My post-COVID-19 journey led me to stop, as it did so many others, and God led me to meditate on Isaiah 58. It initiated an intimate dialogue with God about fasting and how this spiritual habit adds to His kingdom and His harvest (Matthew 9:37-38)! Let’s dig into this passage together and my hope is that you leave inspired and motivated to start a journey of fasting that will help you carry out His specific vision and plan of action in your life. Learn to rest in the spiritual habit of fasting and God will do the rest!

One of the hardest spiritual disciplines is to fast or deny yourself. Fast from food. Fast from a bad habit. Fast from screen-time. As someone who has tried fasting during Lent or as part of a diet program or just because I’m desperate for a change, I can relate to the cries of the Israelites recorded in Isaiah 58.

Israelites: Why have we fasted and prayed and You do not see us? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice? (Isaiah 58:3a)

God: When you fast you look for answers for your own fleshly desires, not to get My attention. I do see you. I see you mistreat the people in your life. I want you to be gentle and respectful to everyone, always. I don’t want you to put on a show for others, with sackcloth and ashes. (Isaiah 58:3b-7)

When have you felt like fasting or prayer made no difference and God didn’t see or hear you?

In the Bible, fasting is often coupled with prayer. In Isaiah 58, God adds another dimension: Humble service.

Is this not the fast that I choose? To release the bonds of wickedness. To undo the ropes of the yoke. To let the oppressed go free and break every yoke. Is it not to break your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house? And when you see the naked, to cover him and not to hide yourself from your own kin? (Isaiah 58: 6-7)

When you deny yourself, connect with God in private. But in public, continue to serve others.

He promises to respond to your humble fast.

Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will spring up quickly and your righteousness will go before you, because the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call and the LORD will answer. You will cry for help and He will say, “Here I am.” (Isaiah 58: 6-9)

Your new understanding will be like the light of dawn. You will recover from hardship and struggle quickly. You will have a new desire to live rightly before God. The Lord will have your back. He will answer you. You will know He is there.

Choose now to begin a spiritual habit of fasting. The next few posts will show you how.

Father God, You care for me and You care for Your people. Help me to choose to fast and find more time to reach out to You in prayer. Show me how to be gentle and respectful to everyone I meet. Amen.