Day 10 Fasting Devotional

“Day 10 : Every Assignment Has a Birthplace

I am convinced that we will never walk in the perfect will of God until we seek Him through fasting. God knows your hunger, but He also knows that what you need is living water and the Bread of Life. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Every assignment God gives you has a birthplace. What will He reveal to you today?

Perhaps you are at a place of such desperation that you just cannot afford to miss God’s will for your life. I have known people who were literally facing life-or-death situations. They were trapped, they were under pressure by circumstances, and they were under attack by the enemy. The only possible way to survive was to draw near “to God—from whose hand no one can snatch you—to hear His voice, and to follow His plan.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was in a similarly critical situation. He was a God-fearing king who found himself surrounded by a powerful enemy army. Annihilation was certain without the Lord’s intervention. Scripture records that, “Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.…Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD” (2 Chron. 20:3–4, 13).”

“All of Judah fasted, even the women and children. They desperately needed to know the Lord’s plan to defeat this great enemy army. In the midst of that assembly of fasting people, God spoke to His people through a prophet, who encouraged them, saying, “‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you” (vv. 15, 17).

In the midst of the whole assembly, God told Judah exactly how that enemy army would approach and exactly what they were to do in response. They gave tremendous praise to the Lord, and He set ambushes against the enemy army and defeated them. None escaped. When the people of Judah arrived, it took them three whole days to carry away the spoil!”

“Do you want God to tell you what you need to do at this time in your life? Fast, worship, and seek Him. Be still and see the salvation of the Lord! They didn’t even have to fight. God fought for them. The battle took one day, and God not only delivered them, but He also prospered them. It took them three days to carry off all the riches! I’m ready for some of those victories where it takes me longer to bring the victory home than it took to fight the battle! Press in like Jehoshaphat in times of great distress—you and your whole family, perhaps even your entire church. God will deliver you and show you His plan!

Let us be filled with the Bread of Life instead of the refuse of religion. Begin to make fasting a regular discipline, and see how God answers your hunger!

On your tenth day of fasting, remember:

• Pray and stay in God’s Word.

• Continue to meditate and listen.

• Hunger pangs continue.

Thoughts for your journal:”

“(Write your thoughts in a separate journal.)

• What do you currently desire in your life? Remember to pray about your dreams and ask God for guidance in what is best for your life.

• At this point, what specific assignments do you believe God has for your life?

Prayer Focus Day 10: Protection

Because of Jesus, you and I can take hold of God’s promises to protect us, to provide for all our needs, and to cover us in His love, mercy, and grace. He is our El Shaddai. He shows Himself strong on our behalf, but He also tenderly takes us unto Himself and shows us kindness. Meditate on these verses of Scripture today, relating to the divine protection of our loving Father.

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

—EXODUS 19:4–5, NIV”

“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

—PSALM 61:3–5, NIV

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

—ISAIAH 66:13, NIV

What is God saying to you today about His protection?

(Write your thoughts in a separate journal.)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

—PROVERBS 18:10”