If you started fasting yesterday, then welcome to day two. You made it. If you haven’t started a fast then there is no better day than today.
Yesterday we kicked off the fast, and it was amazing to see God moving even on day one. As I looked out at everyone from stage it was powerful to see all the hands raised in declaration of a deep desire for more of God. That is really what this fast is all about: more of God. Fasting isn’t about going hungry. Fasting isn’t about dieting. Fasting is feasting. Most importantly, fasting is feasting on God. Our desire in this fast is to submit the hunger of our flesh and focus a spiritual hunger towards God, his Word, his beauty, his presence, and his blessing. We see in Psalm 63 that when we feast on God it always satisfies our soul.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On day two you might already be feeling the effects of fasting a certain food item. I have already had to check my attitude after a day without coffee, so I understand how you feel. But, I want to encourage you today. In these first days of the fast it is important to take specific time to commit this fast to God. I encourage you to take a spend some time in prayer and yield this fast to God. Yielding means that I give way to God in this fast. It is a way of saying, “God, I move out of the way and invite you to move in whatever way you want.” Some of us are starting with clear goals in the fast, and some are fasting for clarity, but we all need to start with openness to the Holy Spirit. All good fasts start with the simple prayer:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
You might have started the fast, you might have not started, and you might have started and already forgot you started. No matter where you are in the journey, I believe that if you make the commitment today to seek God with all your heart you will find more of him than you could ever ask or imagine. For those in the fast, I believe breakthrough in your life! Stay strong.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Pastor Josh Weisbrod
Also, for anyone interested, here is a great book for those interested in learning more about fasting. Fasting: Opening the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God