Lent: A Season of Drawing Closer to GodShembull

[IMAGE CONTENT] Week 1 Fasting To Glorify God Read: Psalm 1; Joel 2:12–14; 1 Corinthians 10:31 SOAP: 1 Corinthians 10:31 > So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Into the Text If we are believers in Christ, the aim of our lives is to glorify God. Our lives are to show others His love, compassion, and grace, as well as His holiness, justice, and mercy. Fasting is one of the disciplines we can participate in to learn more about who God is and His plan for our lives. Fasting is a reminder that we are unable to sustain ourselves. While we may need food to survive physically, God is the One who truly sustains us. He is like the streams of water that nourish a tree, providing what we need, when we need it. By fasting, we recognize that our only sustenance comes from God. It opens our eyes to see that He alone provides for our every need, whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or relational. He often uses other means to meet these needs, such as food, encouragement, community, His Word, or family, but He is ultimately the provision. When we fast, we see how empty and weak we are without His care and provision. Fasting reminds us of God’s character because, without distractions, we can better recognize our need for God and how sinful our hearts are without Him. We can rely on His mercy and compassion to sustain us instead of putting our trust in people or things. So whatever we do, whether through fasting or feasting, may our hearts be focused on bringing God glory. Our whole purpose is to glorify Him, to remain rooted in Him like a tree by streams of water. Let’s continue to look to Him to provide everything we need.