Fasting – don’t just go without food

On this Day of Atonement, we fast. That’s what scripture says we must do.  But we must not just go without food on this day. Remember fasting has a purpose. 

On this day of fasting, read Isaiah 58 prayerfully and slowly.  Be sure you’re fasting in a way that draws you closer to God and results in real change.  Fast today – and repent deeply of any spiritual lethargy, sin that you or I are allowing in our lives, and for not living and applying the things we know from scripture.  And yes, I do preach first and foremost at myself.  I too, have been on my knees in deep repentance and asking God to change me by His spirit.

So don’t just go without food today.  Fast with purpose. Fast to change. Fast to repent.

Isaiah 58:3-14

3 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?'

"In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness.  You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.

 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul?  Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes?  Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to YHVH?

            Note:  DON’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS, God is saying to us.

            Now in the next verses he speaks of fasting that should bring results.

6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;  When you see the naked, that you cover him,  And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

            NOTE:  now watch what God will do in return as He sees us applying Godly ways to our life.

8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of YHVH shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and YHVH will answer; [Who wouldn’t want more answered prayer?]

You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

"IF you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10 If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.

11 YHVH will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

12 Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall rise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,  From doing your pleasure on My holy day,  And call the Sabbath a delight,  The holy day of YHVH  honorable,  And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,  Nor finding your own pleasure,  Nor speaking your own words,

14 THEN you shall delight yourself in YHVH; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.  The mouth of YHVH has spoken."

SO yes –fast. But let’s fast with lots of prayer and asking God to help us become ever more like him moment to moment.