Fasting: The Type God Chooses

Fasting is a common spiritual practice in many Christian communities. Most often it involves abstaining from food for a set number of hours or days during specific times of the year.

Some believers choose to fast at the beginning of the year as a way of dedicating the first portion of the year to God- much like we do when tithing the first part of our paycheck. Others participate in fasting during the weeks leading up to Easter as a time of reflection and preparation.

Regardless of the type of fast or the time of the year it is practiced, the ultimate goal is the same, to humble ourselves before God and seek to have our voices heard on high.

But what if the fast God described in Scripture, is very different from the ones most Christians practice today?

The Fast God Chooses

In Isaiah Chapter 58, we learn that God is not in favor of fasting when we keep on living as we please. In fact it does nothing for us. And we most certainly do not get our voices heard in a louder way.

“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.”(Is 58:3)

“Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.”(Is 58:4)

The way we live is paramount to God. We cannot exploit our employees, be aggressive in our dealings, harbor malice or unforgiveness, or any ungodly attitude or behavior and expect to be heard- fasted state or not. We should keep in mind that, as imperfect people, we’re bound to act in ways that sometimes even surprise ourselves. However, when we take them to God, confessing daily and asking for the Holy Spirit’s power to improve, we are forgiven. The slate is once again clean.

” I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”( Rom 7:15-18)

Mercy is A Form of Fasting

Showing mercy or compassion to others is a type of fasting. God is more concerned about how we treat people. God’s goal was to save us for eternity and to show us how to live here on earth.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?””Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter. When you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

By fasting in the way God chooses, Scripture states it will loosen sin’s grip on us. We will find healing, protection and help from God. If we align our life even further, as seen in this chapter there are more blessings:

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”

Fasting Our Time

This chapter speaks to using our time to help others. Using our mouths to speak kindness and love and in doing this He will strengthen us physically. If we “fast” on Sunday and take time to enjoy the Lord, we receive provision and help from the Lord.

Fasting from food is a great way to keep our appetites from ruling our lives. But true fasting goes beyond what we eat, it’s a lifestyle. When we care for those who cannot repay us and honor the Sabbath we live out the two greatest commandments and reflect the heart of Jesus. This is the kind of fasting God desires.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:36-40)

Food For Thought,

Lisa