Did you know that fasting may be conducted in other ways aside from denying, restricting and withholding certain things? Isaiah speaks of fasting as offering, encroaching and establishing new patterns of discipline in your life. Undoubtedly the following scripture speaks of things we must begin to do instead of actions which must cease in order to please God.
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose 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.”
Isaiah 58:6-10 NKJV
What if today you set your heart to fast answering every call placed before you? How would such a fast present itself?
Outwardly you begin to shift your focus enabling you to notice the concerns and attitudes of people who come in contact with you. Making a conscious effort to ask how they are doing and offering time to hear their response. Focusing your efforts on empowering and encouraging others would cause you to be a person who builds everywhere you go. What if every time someone spoke a negative word about our nation you responded “God is moving”!? Remaining sensitive to the Holy Spirit keeping your spirit open to His presence throughout the day strengthens your own spirit. Taking time to stop and rejoice throughout the day over every detail you are able to notice and appreciate about your life brings you through the gates of Heaven!
Have you considered giving over and above your tithe? What if your fast entailed increased giving even in a time of radical inflation and lack? How do you think your Heavenly Father would respond if instead of storing up you began to pour out?
An unusual fast is called for in this unusual season which will result in usual miracles!
“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”
Acts 19:11-12 NKJV
May I encourage you today to establish new patterns, habits and disciplines in your life that the Lord may be glorified and His light may shine all the brighter through your life. May your words still and quiet the hearts of the hopeless. May you leave a permanent impression for the Kingdom in every place you enter and to every soul you encounter.