February Fast - 21 Days Of Seeking HimEgzanp

Fasting or Food Fight?

Whenever people talk about fasting, the debate often comes up about what you can fast and whether it’s even necessary. Then at some point, Isaiah 58:6 often gets quoted, which says:
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.” (Isaiah 58:6 MSG)

But this passage doesn’t talk about not fasting, but the fact that people have totally missed the point of fasting. Fasting (and any spiritual discipline for that matter) doesn’t exist as a point on a list for us just to check off once done. It’s a matter of the heart.

In the verses prior to this, God rebukes them for fasting while arguing. “The moment you stop fasting,” He says, “You’re back at it again. Fighting each other.” That’s not fasting. That’s a diet.

That is why fasting is not just about stopping something (eating, watching TV, having a social media break etc.) but also replacing it with some time of prayer and devotion, where we give space for God’s grace to challenge and change us from the inside out.  

Jesus, I want to pray like the Psalmist prayed:
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
May you continue to point the things out in my heart that is not reflecting your best for me. Amen.