Day 4: THE FAST GOD HAS CHOSEN, THE FAST WE NEED (Isaiah 58)

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? (Isaiah 58:6)

The subject of fasting is often neglected and misunderstood. It can be difficult to fast because we are so accustomed to eating whatever and whenever we want. The discipline of denying our appetites can be a challenge. Also, we may fast in a way that totally misses the point. For example, if the whole time that we have set aside for fasting is consumed with thinking about food and staring at the clock, counting down to when we can finally eat, then we have failed to understand the purpose of fasting.

In this writing, I want to focus exclusively on Isaiah 58 and the wisdom we receive there from the Word of the Lord. In this passage, the Lord is correcting His people who fasted in a way that He was not pleased with. From this chapter we learn that fasting is not to be an empty ritualistic custom that we do to appear pious or religious but fasting is to be the outward expression of our inner desire to draw near to the heart of God. Let’s walk through the verses to discover what God wants us to understand about fasting.

REASONS WHY WE FAST AND GOD’S RESPONSE

1. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to loose the bands of wickedness (Isaiah 58:6). There may be times when we fall into a sinful habit and worldly ways, becoming strapped down in bondage. The heart that earnestly desires to be set free and seeks deliverance from God through praying and fasting can expect the Lord to loose their bands.

2. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to undo heavy burdens (Isaiah 58:6). Through prayer and fasting we are aggressively pushing into God’s presence seeking Him to help us with the loads and burdens we carry. The focus of fasting is not about denying ourselves food, it’s about posturing our hearts to be fed by God the spiritual food that will strengthen us. We don’t need to buckle under the load of the cares of this life, but as we draw closer to God, He honors our sincere approach and is faithful to release us from our burdens.

3. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to let the oppressed go free (Isaiah 58:6). Our mindset as we fast should be that God wants to deliver us, but not just us, others as well. God has chosen a fast that we pray on the behalf of others that are oppressed and still in the clutches of the enemy. As we fast, pray, and call on the Lord interceding for others, God breaks the grip of the enemy on their lives.

4. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to break every yoke (Isaiah 58:6). We are not just believing for some things; we are believing that God will break EVERY yoke. Everything that may be holding us or hindering us, we fast and pray for God to break it. We are believing God will break yokes off our mind, break it off our spirit, off our families, our finances, even our future.

5. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to deal thy bread to the hungry (Isaiah 58:7). God desires for us to fast for the purpose of allowing Him to SHIFT our focus from self to others. Fasting allows God to work in us a genuine concern and heart for the needs of others. He wants us to have compassion for those that are in need. This includes those that are poor, naturally speaking, as well as those that are spiritually destitute.

6. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – for thy light to break forth as the morning (Isaiah 58:8). When we fast and pray, we are believing for God to do a SWIFT SHIFT. By faith we trust God’s timing but there are times when God will break into our lives, do an immediate work and cause His glory to be manifested.

7. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – for thine health to spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8). God wants us to pray and fast for the sick. There are often sudden, unexplainable healings that God grants when we fast and pray. God in response to our fasting and praying brings about healings, reversals, and blessings. In the latter portion of verse 8 the word rereward means to guard the rear; in other words, when we sincerely fast, God is saying I’ve got your back.

8. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to call, and the Lord shall answer; to cry, and He shall say, here I am (Isaiah 58:9). We have many prayer requests, questions, and things we’re seeking to understand. God has called on us to fast, earnestly seeking Him. He promises to answer and to SHOW UP in our situations, announcing, HERE I AM. You’ve been searching for Me, here I am. You’ve been seeking Me, here I am.

9. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to respond to the needs of the hungry and to satisfy the afflicted soul (Isaiah 58:10). Through fasting and praying, we are beseeching God to help those that are hurting and deeply wounded. The verse mentions those that have afflicted souls. In some cases, the enemy is entrenched in people, but through fasting and prayer, we ask God to uproot, expel, and cast out whatever is contrary to His will.

10. The fast that God has chosen is a fast – to guide us continually (Isaiah 58:11). An important reason that God wants us to fast is for direction. He wants to lead us through life, guide us in stormy seasons, and order our steps as we walk with Him.

    
    

God wants us to fast, but not religiously. He wants us to fast in faith, to fast with focus, and to fast with humble hearts. Hearts that are hungry for Him; hungry for His presence and thirsty for His will to be done in our lives. This is the fast He has chosen and that’s the kind of fast we need.

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves

For additional resources and study materials, visit

COTNC.org

ReginaldReaves.com