Week 2 || Day 3
PURPOSE OF FASTING: TO RECEIVE GOD’S WISDOM
One reason we fast is for revelation, wisdom and spiritual insight. Listening for and determining the will of God for our lives helps us answer difficult questions and address challenges. Fasting also helps us receive God’s wisdom for making decisions. These decisions can help orient our entire future!
The Bible also shows that leaders in the early church fasted and worshipped in order to receive God’s wisdom concerning who to send as missionaries. Acts 13:2-3 says, “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” NLT
This is intentional. These men were meeting, needing to hear from God about a specific matter. They prayed and fasted and asked the Holy Spirit for direction. And I believe God gives us supernatural wisdom for matters we’re concerned about. Who should I marry? Where should I live? How should I respond in this situation? As you fast, ask God to reveal things to you. Ezra tells us that in fasting and earnest prayer “our God would take care of us, and he hears our prayer.” Ezra 8:23 NLT And if it isn’t you, but it’s someone else who is struggling, maybe God wants to shift the situation through you and YOU fasting can help the Holy Spirit give direction. What if fasting is about what God wants to do THROUGH you? You should know, without a doubt, that as you fast you are accomplishing more than the physical eye can see. As you pray, ask God for revelation and understanding for the truth of God’s Word. Ask that God would allow that truth to light up every room in your heart and mind and ask for wisdom to apply this truth to your life!
Why does fasting help us find wisdom and guidance? Fasting is a means of giving ourselves wholly to the Lord. When we fast, our mind, soul, and spirit become more receptive to God’s Holy Spirit. God says that He will give wisdom to those who seek it. So, the apostles and early believers showed us that we may seek wisdom through fasting. We see the early Christian leaders, Paul and Barnabas, fasting for guidance and wisdom. However, this is actually not the only time in the Bible that shows leaders fasting to seek God’s guidance.
In Judges 20, we see that God gave favor to the Israelites because they chose to fast. It was then that God determined to give them wisdom and guidance on how to overcome their enemies.
Illustration: “A cowboy was riding his stallion down a dirt road when a police officer flashed his lights and pulled him over. He said, "Sir, I have been trying to pull you over for a mile. Do you know that your wife fell off the horse, a mile down the road?" The cowboy smiled and replied, "Thank God, I thought for a moment that I had become deaf." - Kory Ferree
If you're having a difficult time hearing God's voice, make sure you haven't left Him somewhere back down the road! Fasting is an element that allows us to keep God front and center in our lives!
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Kids SEEK, too!
Kids’ Illustration: In his book Directions, author James Hamilton shares this insight about listening to God: Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the icehouses and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would last well into the summer.
One man lost a valuable watch while working in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn't find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the icehouse during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.
Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.
"I closed the door," the boy replied, "lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking."
Often the question isn’t whether God is speaking, but whether we are still enough and quiet enough to hear. Yes, Jesus assures us that our heavenly Father always listens to us, but do we really listen to Him? Do we follow the instructions of Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God? in order to receive God’s wisdom?”
Kids’ Activity for Today’s Prayer Focus:
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Bible:
“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” (Ezra 8:23 ESV)
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3 ESV)
“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23 ESV)
“If any of [us] lacks wisdom, [we] should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to [us].” (James 1:5 NIV)
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Quotes for Today:
“If you're having a difficult time making the best decision then consider fasting. Fasting is simply taking something you regularly do and replacing it with praying and seeking God. For example instead of eating a meal you can take that time to seek God and allow Him to speak to you about the decision.” - Dan Black
“Many times the rewards of fasting come after the fast, though from time to time answers come during the fast.” - Jentezen Franklin
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Points to Ponder:
Is there a decision that you are trying to make and needing guidance for? Take some time today to bring it to the Lord and ask for His wisdom.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (I Corinthians 14:33 ESV) God loves to help us out of our confusion! Allow Him to help direct your decisions.
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CLOSING PRAYER: Father God, we come before you today and humbly ask for your wisdom. We know that you have said in James 1:5 (NIV) that “If any of [us] lacks wisdom, [we] should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to [us].” We thank you that you grant that wisdom and today, we also pray for revelation and understanding for the truth of your Word. We ask that You would allow that truth to light up every part of our hearts and minds! And we pray for the wisdom to be able to apply those insights to our lives. We pray that you would awaken the hearts and minds of the people of West Michigan. Awaken us out of our complacency, our apathy. Bring us deeper into a revelation of the love you have for us. Mark us with your glory and your truth and enable us to be the salt and light of the world. It’s in Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen.
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