“Day 11: Fasting Truly Humbles You
Most of the fasts mentioned in the Bible were public fasts initiated by the priests; Jesus gave us the model for private fasts in Matthew 6:16–18; 9:14–15. But, public or private, simply stated, fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God.
If Jesus needed to fast, how much greater is our need to fast? I was seventeen years old when I went on my first complete twenty-one-day fast. It was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. Fasting is never easy. Honestly, I know of nothing more wearisome than fasting. Jesus understands the difficulty of depriving ourselves of food. In Hebrews 4:15 we read, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He also provides strength for us to overcome temptation in Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” “With these promises in mind, the process became less unpleasant for me.
When you fast, you abstain from food for spiritual purposes. I have heard people say that they were planning to fast TV or computer games or surfing the Internet. It is good to put those things down if they are interfering with your prayer life or with your study of God’s Word or your ministering to the needs of others, but technically, that is not fasting. Fasting is doing without food for a period of time, which generally causes you to leave the commotion of normal activity. Part of the sacrifice of fasting, seeking God, and studying His Word is that normal activity fades into the background.”
“There are wrong reasons to fast. You do not fast to obtain merit with God or to get rid of sin. There is only one thing that gives us merit with God and cleanses us of sin—the blood of Jesus. However, fasting will begin to bring to the surface any areas of compromise in your life and make you more aware of any sin in your own life so you can repent.
Fasting is not a Christian diet. You should not fast to lose weight, although weight loss is a normal side effect. Unless you put prayer with your fasting, there is no need to fast. Merely doing without food is just starving. When you fast, you focus on prayer and on God’s Word.
You can always find a reason not to fast, so you have to make up your mind that you are going to do it, and everything else will take care of itself. If you will determine to set apart the first days of the year to fast, you will set the course for the entire coming year, and God will add blessings to your life all year long. “Just as you set the course of your day by meeting with God in the first hours, the same is true of dedicating the first days of the year to fasting.
King David said, “I humbled myself with fasting” (Ps. 35:13; see also Ezra 8:21).
God desires to move powerfully in your life. His plans for you are always progressing and developing. He desires to speak to you, as one would speak to a friend.
On your eleventh day of fasting, remember:
• Rest and relax.
• Go to your prayer time and prayer place.
• The Lord’s presence becomes more apparent.”
“Thoughts for your journal:
(Write your thoughts in a separate journal.)
Humility is a discipline and not something that just comes naturally. Fasting places one truly in the hands of God, dependent upon Him for spiritual nourishment in the absence of physical nourishment. Journal how this experience has humbled you and made you trust God more.”
“Prayer Focus Day 11: Favor
When you truly grasp the concept of God’s favor, of His capacity, you will never be the same. You see, when you offer God a cup, He not only fills it, as David said, but He also overflows it (Ps. 23:5). God’s “capacity” is unlimited and cannot be exhausted. In the second chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit didn’t merely “enter” the room; He “filled the whole house where they were sitting” (v. 2). So whatever you are believing God for during this fast, I encourage you to believe Him for the maximum. Believe Him for His favor…for His measure of capacity, not your own. Rise up and confront the barriers standing in your way. Do not allow circumstances to dictate your territory limitations—your territory is expanding!
Places I am experiencing the favor of the Lord and the expansion of my “territory”:
(Write your thoughts in a separate journal.)
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
—2 CORINTHIANS 6:2, NIV
Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
“I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
—PSALM 50:14–15”
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