Fasting– GROWING CLOSER TO JESUS
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalms 34:8 NIV
There is spiritual delight that far supersedes the physical diet of this world. Fasting is the means by which we say to God, “More than our stomachs want food, our souls want you.”
Fasting ends up being more about our heart than our stomach.
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Matthew 9:14-15 NIV
We must be careful with our spiritual disciplines lest we become prideful and self- focused instead of God-focused. There is also, of course, the danger of indulgence. Paul warns us about those whose God is their belly.
The denial of our stomach’s appetite for food will increase our soul’s appetite for God.
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
John 4:31-32 NIV
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
John 18:12-14 NIV
My Beginning. My Forever. 