(Day 1) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

Daniel 9:2-3

You are blessed when the desire of your heart is to get closer to God. When we dig through the scriptures, looking for our Lord like a thirsty man digs to unearth a well; this pleases God. When we steadfastly call on God by praying, like a stranded person on an island calls out to a ship that’s passing by. When we break the veil of our flesh through fasting to starve our sinful desires, God will respond by coming out to meet us. Can you imagine what it would be like if your children did everything that they could to avoid you? Unfortunately, some know that experience of having kids, that for whatever reason, stay away from them. Just like Adam and Eve fled when they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day (Gen. 3:8), many today are hiding from the Word of God.

God’s voice is heard through His Word; and in His Word, we hear His commands, instructions, and how He wants us to live. As His Word is being proclaimed through preaching, teaching, and the faithful living of His people, you will either run away or run with a repentant heart, towards Him. But there are those pivotal, critical times when God calls for us to seek Him with increased earnestness and urgency. Now is such a time, And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:11-12).

Daniel is a powerful example of one that really went after God by seeking Him in His Word and humbled himself in fervent prayer with fasting. God blessed him by giving him understanding as he was studying the writings of the prophet Jeremiah. God gave him insight into what He was doing and allowed Daniel to understand the time frame of when God would accomplish His purpose. Praying and fasting brings us into a frame of mind and spirit where we are more sensitive to the voice of God. Your prayer, fasting, and study time is your feasting time; it’s your time to eat the bread of life and to drink of the living waters. It’s a time of pursuing His presence, hungering for His holiness, and reaching for His righteousness. Jesus gives this promise; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (St. Matthew 5:6).

During this time of seeking God, He will transform us and produce in us treasures that will be evident in our lives. He’s pulling us closer to Him; aligning our hearts with His Word and preparing us to be used mightily by Him. Great things are in store! We serve a great God!

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves