The Grace Fasting Challenge starts this week. I am so proud of the people who have signed up to take the huge step of faith of fasting 1, 2 or 3 days a week for four weeks, and I’m excited about what God is going to do because of your commitment to take this next step in faith.
I know that it is a huge step for many of you. Most of us have never considered fasting as a part of our lives as Christians. It doesn’t really make sense to us. How could just giving up food for a time bring us closer to God? The answer is that taking away something basic that you rely on in your day can’t help but reveal the things you trust in more than you trust in Christ. Your eyes will be opened to how much you find joy in the things of this earth more than the things of God.
I am encouraged already by one of the posts on the discussions over at the fasting challenge Facebook page from someone who has already done their day this week:
“Wow! I was not even fully into the idea of fasting - I knew that I would stick with it if I made a commitment, but didn't understand how I could grow closer to God by doing it. Well...God has already laid on my heart that I am not trusting Him in every aspect of my life and totally changed my attitude. I look forward to all that He will reveal to me during this month.”
Today is Memorial Day, and you’ll hear a lot today about what a great country we live in. We definitely do, but the downside of living in a place where our needs and wants can be met in an instant is that it smothers our opportunities to trust Jesus for what we need. Hosea 13:6 says “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” That sounds exactly like us, and I’m convinced we need a discipline like fasting to create need in our lives and to know that only Jesus satisfies.
Here’s one of my favorite Psalms of confession for you to read when you fast this week. I also encourage you to pray your own prayers for our church and for a renewal in your relationship with God. I am praying for you.
