Good day friends
As we begin the Daniel fast, a 21 day fast, may we understand the purpose of Biblical fasting.
Hear these words of Christ:
Matthew 6
16 “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.(D)17 But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you
Jesus didn’t say IF you fast but WHEN you fast.
Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights before he began his ministry with the demonstration of God’s power evidenced by the miraculous.
Fasting is not about forcing God’s hand or to get things from God as some would believe. Fasting is instead waiting in God’s presence broken before him.
It is not asking - "God what will you do for me?"
It is instead a posture of "God what would you have me to do?"
We need strategy as we face this year, we need to not only hear from God with clarity, we need to listen to all he says. Listening provokes us to respond to what he says and moves us into action.
While fasting an emptying of one's self and a disciplining the flesh should come.
Fasting and prayer is like dynamite and matches - Dynamic to say the least.
The example of The Daniel Fast is outlined in Daniel 10
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and it referred to great conflict (warfare, misery). And he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.(A)
2 In those days I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I ate no tasty food, nor did any meat or wine enter my mouth; and I did not [a]anoint (refresh, groom) myself at all for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris], 5 I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a [b]certain man dressed in linen, whose loins were girded with [a [c]belt of] pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl [with a golden luster], his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea].(B) 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great panic overwhelmed them, so they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my normal appearance turned to a deathly pale, and I grew weak and faint [with fright]. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face toward the ground.
Daniel Comforted
10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me unsteadily on my [d]hands and knees. 11 So he said to me, “O Daniel, you highly regarded and greatly beloved man, understand the words that I am about to say to you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the [e]prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is in regard to the days yet to come.”
Please do research on different biblical fasts
Here is a link to help
I pray for God to give you the grace and strength to go through. May he speak with clarity to you. Empower you for purpose and make ways for you where there seems to be no other way.
Amen
Walk good in Christ till we meet again
Pastor J
Comentarios