The Fast that the Lord Has Called

The Fast that the Lord Has Called

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            Several Christian traditions are now entering into the Lenten season, forty days of some type of fasting in preparation for the recognition of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.  The purpose for fasting is to concentrate on spiritual growth and to deepen our relationship with the Lord in order to walk in His power and authority.

In Scripture, fasting and prayer often go together.  In Matthew 17:21, when the disciples questioned why they were unable to cast the demon out of a child, Jesus said the faith of the disciples was weak and that that type of demonic spirit came out only through prayer and fasting.  In the Book of Acts, we see the followers of Jesus fasting and praying before making important decisions. 

Fasting is also a private experience.   "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18 NKJV)

Fasting should always be done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is our Counselor and our Teacher.  Sometimes we are asked to abstain from certain foods or practices that are good in their own right and may be resumed after the period of fasting is completed.  God will not call us to fast in ways that would be detrimental to our health and safety or to the health and safety of others.

God has also called another type of fast, a fast that results in powerful and authoritative servanthood and victory in our lives. This type of fast is not temporary.  It is a lifestyle of fasting from the wickedness and attitudes of the world.

 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?  Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 58:6-14 NKJV)

The mouth of the Lord has spoken.  If we are willing to let go of the bonds of wickedness such as anger, revenge, bitterness, unforgiveness and fear, if we are willing to let go of the control we desire to have over others, if we personally care for those who are in need, then we will walk in the hope of tomorrow.  God will guide us.  We will be satisfied.  We will be like springs of water.  Remember that Jesus said, ”He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38 NKJV)

It is when we enter into this fast that we will be able to reestablish the foundations of our personal lives, of our families, our churches, our communities and our nation.  God has called His people to be repairers and restorers.  We can fulfill that call only as we delight ourselves in the Lord.

Paul wrote, “Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.  "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:25-32 NKJV)

This is the fast that the Lord has called for.  This is the fast that will lead the Church to victory.