WHY HAVE WE FASTED

‘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.
4 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 58:3-4

The underlying thought that Isaiah wants these religious people to know is that there is a method to bending God’s ear to their need.  The right adjustments to their behavior can result in their cause being addressed by God who watches over them.

But the method is not a ritual, routine or a set of disciplines.  Some may say “it’s not going to happen, just going through the motions”.  Yet how many times do we look for a spiritual discipline that will unlock the key, make us feel better, and put God into a position that He has to respond. 

So, what exactly does God want? An openness and honesty before God that correlates to loving behavior to those in our sphere of influence.  John says it best,  “if someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar, for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” I John 4:20. 

The religious disciplines root out the desperation within our own character that is flawed.  They do not impress God nor motivate Him to a more congenial disposition to us.  Fasting at its core, exposes the dependency that our flesh has in food and ultimately our survival in our own strength.  Yet we can learn that God can sustain us even during our need for food.

But while we are fasting...listen to our words and watch comes forth through our actions.  Ask God to help you hear impatience, criticism, sarcasm, brashness, arrogance, pride, and unforgiveness.  These are the character issues that God will highlight as He see fit.  These attitudes are as unbecoming to our character as a suit is on a pig.  When we fall, ask the Lord to forgive you and move on.  The heart is wicked so don’t spend too much time reflecting on why it happened.  Spend more time focusing on how God wants to forgive and cleanse us from our mistakes.

Fasting is beneficial.  Let it produce change in our character.