Scripture to Read: Matthew 6:16
God also said this about fasting in Isaiah 58:7: “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” Another incredible benefit of fasting is that we are able to share with others in need. Since we fast from food, we can use the food we do not eat to feed someone who is in need. We live in a day when we are so fast paced that we often forget there are people all around us who are hungry and in need of clothing. Through fasting, we experience what it’s like to be hungry, even if it’s just for a short time, and God speaks to us about helping others in need. God also speaks of helping those in need of clothing. God also says (in Isaiah 58:7) “not to hide yourself from your own flesh.” In other words, we need to take care of those closest to us too—that means loving our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus was asked the question in Luke 10:29, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus laid out the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37. When we fast, we more readily crucify our fleshly desires and begin to see the needs of those around us because we are fully surrendered to our Lord’s handiwork in our lives. Our preconceived ideas and selfishness die, and we become a more usable tool of our Lord.
Challenge & Application
· How have you missed ministry opportunities because you got away from fasting and got too busy with life?
· How have you seen God use fasting in your life to be more like Him and burden you to meet the needs of others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!