GOD'S CHOSEN FAST

“Is this not the fast which I chose…”

Isaiah 58:6a

     Many years ago the Lord introduced me to fasting by bringing a book to me entitled God’s Chosen Fast.  It had been given to my mother-in-law by someone who thought it was about another means for dieting.  She wasn’t interested in it and gave it to me because she thought I might be interested.  I put it on the shelf with other “diet” books and it remained there for some 7 years.  It traveled from Miami, Florida to Tennessee and then to Nashville, Georgia.  I put it back on the shelf, as previously, among my dieting books.  One day in 1984 a strange thing happened as I was working in the kitchen and passing the bookshelf area.  This book falls off the shelf!  I thought it really weird that it could fall from between other books snuggly fit together; but I picked it up and put it back in place.  Later I passed the bookshelf on my way outside and the book was once again fallen on the floor.  Thinking that I imagined I put it up and that it could NOT have fallen out again, I returned it once more.  The next day as I came in the house from outside, I stopped in my tracks…the book was lying on the floor!  Now, it had my attention and as I picked it I looked at the title I decided that I needed to read this book. 

     To my amazement this was not about dieting at all but about seeking God to know Him and His will.  It was based on Isaiah 58.  I read and became engrossed in the truths I read.  My heart was moved to enter this experience of God’s Presence and to follow the example of Daniel’s  21-Day Fast.

     For 21 days I ate no food and drank only water; I spent exclusive time studying Scripture and praying; I recorded everything in a journal and prayer notebook.  Conclusion:  I experienced a supernatural journey into a dimension of spirituality I never dreamed possible.  This kind of thing only happened in someone’s imagination in a movie or book!  I might add that it is something you can only express with limited words; it is something that must be experienced.

     Perhaps one day I will share more.  I share this to give credibility to my knowledge of fasting.  After that first Fast unto The Lord, I began an annual two-week fast starting on Sunday two weeks before Easter, and ending on Easter Sunday.  A number of those Easter Sundays, I broke fast with partaking of The Lord’s Supper.  It took on a totally difference significance for me.

     There is some preparation that must take place before beginning a Fast of any kind.  There must be a thorough understanding of what it involves.  It is a venture into the spiritual domain that includes more than The Holy Spirit of God and His angels.  It also makes one open for intrusion by other spirits that have the purpose of deceiving, disguising, distracting and destroying everything about God.  You must be made aware of this to know how to recognize and discern the difference.  It is more fearful to go into the unknown with God than it is to fear His opponents!  Reading Ephesians chapter 6 is a good place to begin preparation.

     Preparation must begin with examining our relationship with God.  IF we are not born again of The Spirit into The Kingdom of God becoming a Child of God, we will not be able to discern the spirits and know the truth.  ONLY GOD IS TRUTH and can reveal it to us!  To all who believe and receive Jesus He gives the right to become children of God.   See John chapters 1 & 3. 

     FASTING is not just abstaining from food, it is withdrawing and removing all obstacles, hindrances and distractions; removing all food temptations; and making a time and place for quiet and seclusion.  This needs to be done mentally and physically, if possible.  Resist the temptation to cater to the natural and the “what ifs.”  (Psalm 46:10; James 4:7)

    Final preparation is to draw near to God ~ mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually.  Set your focus; “Prepare your minds…”  (James 4:8; I Peter 1:13; Romans 12:1-2) 

     IF you have to work or keep certain appointments, keep your heart and mind focused on The Presence of The Lord with you…being in the world, but not of the world.  (John 15:19; John 17:16)

     DRINK WATER, LOTS OF WATER!  If you feel hunger, drink some water.  If you get a headache, drink some water.  If your back aches, drink some water.  You will be amazed at how it does sustain you in more ways than you thought!

Keep a Fasting and Prayer Journal writing down the things you say to God…and the things He says to you.  Remember He will always speak by His Holy Spirit, through the Bible, in prayer, circumstances, and the church.   The Bible is called The Word of God because it is The Word of God!

Pray and ask The Lord if He wants you to encounter Him in this way of fasting and then ask Him how He wants you to do it.