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Hello folks. Today's devotional focuses on fasting. Now this is not Lent season, but fasting applies to any time of year. To be honest, I do not really fast, but I do try to avoid tech or news, especially on vacation.
Date | October 3, 2024 | Fasting: Curbing our Desires |
Verse | Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV): "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV): "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Daniel 9:1-3 (NIV): "In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." |
Explanation | These three passages highlight both the spiritual benefits of fasting and how Christians should approach this practice. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus emphasizes that when fasting, believers should not make a show of it but rather do so humbly before God. He advises His followers to wash their faces and put oil on their heads during the time of fasting as a sign of spiritual cleansing rather than physical distress. The goal is to seek reward from God alone, who sees our actions in secret.Isaiah 58:6-7 illustrates that true fasting involves more than just abstaining from food; it requires actions that free the oppressed and show compassion towards those in need. In other words, fasting should be accompanied by acts of kindness, charity, and service to others. This passage encourages Christians to use their time spent during fasting to help those who are less fortunate and to practice empathy and love for our fellow human beings. Daniel 9:1-3 showcases a historical account where the prophet Daniel engaged in intense prayer and fasting as part of his struggle against spiritual warfare. His actions led to divine intervention, demonstrating that fasting can have powerful effects on both individual and collective levels. This passage emphasizes the importance of humility, persistence, and determination when facing adversity or spiritual challenges. |
Societal Relevance | In the modern era, Christians can apply these teachings by putting aside their own desires during times of fasting, such as giving up certain foods, technology (such as computers or gaming), social media, or news during Lent. Instead of drawing attention to themselves, they should use this time for reflection, prayer, and service towards others. By doing so, they embody the principles found in these passages: humility before God, compassion towards those in need, and actively participating in spiritual warfare through fasting and prayer. Fasting has never really been a thing for myself, as my metabolism is pretty fast and food helps me get through the day. However, during Lent of 2024, I have blocked off all the popular news websites on my work computer, and at home, as reading the news can be a distraction and can make me feel down about the world. Another thing is setting my phone screen to black and white to avoid reading the news or using my phone as much. Finally, I even changed the color setting of my TV to monochrome to see if that would curb my TV usage, which it did not that much. Something easier to avoid is sugar, so cutting down my sugar intake was what I did for Lent of 2023. |
