THE FAST OF THE LORD -

Scriptural References: Isaiah 58

Many people ask me if I fast and I always say,” Yes, as the Holy Spirit directs but it may not always be from food.” And as Joyce Meyer says, “Sometimes we need to fast our mouths! “

It is expedient for each of us to realize that in the application of the precepts given by God in Is. 58, for it is the blueprint for healthy living. If we examine them closely we will conclude that, although these are necessities given by God, we can live in beautiful relationships both with God and mankind. Sadly these are not part of many 'church' programs. When last did we hear exhortations to:

Loose the bands of wickedness; To undo the heavy burdens; To let the oppressed go free; Break every yoke; Deal your bread to the hungry; Bring the poor that are cast out to your house; When you see the naked, cover him; Hide not yourself from your own flesh; Take away from the midst of you the yoke......the putting forth of the finger......speaking vanity; Draw out your soul to the hungry; Satisfy the afflicted soul.

Then the Lord shall always guide you and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones fat; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. And those who come of you shall build the old ruins; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. Then you shall delight yourself in Jehovah; and I He will cause you to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed yourself with the inheritance of Jacob.

In the prophet Isaiah’s time, people complained that they had fasted and that God had not responded favorably. Going without food or water was not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fasted. The prophet declared that an external show was futile. God looks on the heart. When we adopt these (precepts in Is. 58) as a way of life with pure heart motives, we are automatically covered by the 'THENS' of God.

We have been conditioned to believe that God does all these things, yet it is obvious that these are requirements of you and me as we seek to emulate the teaching of Jesus, which is so sadly neglected.

Father, we ask You to break old cycles related to religious spirits. We ask You what Your fast is to be from. We thank You Holy Spirit; You are our Guide. Today, we are fasting from impure thoughts, impure motives and impure speech. I ask that I may walk (live and conduct myself) in a manner worthy of You, Lord, fully pleasing to You and desiring to please You in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of You, God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
In Jesus name. Amen.