HUNGER FOR GOD
We don’t hear much about fasting these days, certainly there are not many books about it. After all Paul warns Timothy of “people who advocate abstaining from food.” (1Tim 4:1-3). He says to the Colossians “why… do you submit yourselves to decrees, such as ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch? For as Paul said the Corinthians, “food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.” 1 Cor 8:8
So then, what purpose does fasting have? How we answer this is absolutely important because of its potential pitfalls. Our tendency with any spiritual discipline such as fasting is to drift either to legalism on one side or extreme asceticism on the other side. Wesley once said “some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason, however, others have utterly disregarded it.” Of course, we should avoid either extreme. Though, rest assured that if Satan can’t keep us from using it, he will try to get us to abuse it. Therefore it is imperative that our view of fasting be biblical. So, why should we fast?
WHY WE SHOULD FAST
I believe that most of us here share a deep desire to be more intimate, more devoted to God. But something gets in the way of that devotion. The desire we all have to give our hearts to Him is shared with a desire for things… yet, the weakness of our hunger for God is not because He is unsavory, as John Piper puts it, but because we keep ourselves stuffed with other things. In other words, we are so full on food & entertainment, that we have no appetite left for God.
Is there something wrong with food or moral entertainment? Of course not… but because these things are not bad, we often don’t realize that they can be to blame for our lack of hunger. You see, it is not our feasting with the wicked that typically robs us of our hunger for God but the constant nibbling at the table of the world that leaves us so full that we have no appetite left for God. I experience this every Thanksgiving. I nibble all day long… so much so that when the main meal comes, I don’t really enjoy it. Again, what we are nibbling on, computers, investing, TV, surfing the web, work, shopping, exercising, talking on the phone, home repair, and even our Christian work, are all fine, though, taken together, can leave us so inebriated that we have nothing left for God.
Fasting is that discipline which tries to recapture our hunger for God. It says to God, I am willing to forgo anything in order to be in your presence. Fasting provides an atmosphere whereby we are prepared to face up to the dulling effects of food and all those things which we continually nibble on. If I told you that there were 10 million dollars in your house and that you could keep every cent if you found it, what would you do? You would take an early vacation, skip Seinfeld and Mad About You, and would take the place down brick by brick. Fasting expresses that passion to know Him more. Some time after Moses watched the Lord part the Red Sea, he said to the Lord, “I want to see your glory”. My goodness, Moses, you saw the glory of the Lord when the Lord closed the waters, delivering you from the Egyptian armies! But for Moses, the only glory that He really wanted was to rest in the presence of God. It is with that heart, one that longs to bask in the presence of God, that we need to consider the biblical discipline of fasting.
WHAT FASTING DOES
1. FASTING EXPOSES OUR HEART: Richard Foster says, “More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us.” Thus, it helps us to uncover what is really inside. For example, if you are one who eats in order to feel better, to forget, then the absence of food will make that clear. It can reveal to us just how much pain, pride, or anger is inside of us. If we had a terrible morning… the one thing that might get us by was knowing that we were going out to lunch. But, all of a sudden you realize that you are fasting. You are forced to consider another way of dealing with your feelings. Piper writes of fasting, “humbly and quietly, with scarcely a movement, she brings up out of the dark places of my soul the dissatisfactions in relationships, the frustrations of the ministry, the fears of failure, the emptiness of wasted time. And just when my heart begins to retreat to the delicious hope of eating supper at Pizza Hut, she quietly reminds me: not tonight.” Our fasting proves the presence and fans the flame of our hunger for God and through it, God wants to awaken us to the reality of His presence.
2) FASTING EXPRESSES OUR HUNGER FOR GOD HIMSELF: Paul rightly said to Timothy, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (4:4). James also affirms that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. That includes the food that we eat and many of the things that bless us in our day to day lives. So, why fast? It is a way of saying, from time to time, that having more of the Giver surpasses having the gifts. In other words, we express to God, “food is good, your many gifts are good, but you are better!” It helps restore our focus from ourselves and the good things God places in our lives, to the giver of those good things… ensuring that God remains preeminent above everything. This kind of God-centered fasting tenderizes our hearts helping us to find our contentment in Him rather than the gifts He gives. John Piper, while speaking to a number of us in Holland last year, made a profound yet simple statement. He said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” The discipline of fasting is something that can help bring us to that place of satisfaction. How? We will get to that in just a few moments. But first, we need to get a few things firmly established. Having spoken about what fasting does, let’s consider what fasting doesn’t do.
WHAT FASTING DOESN’T DO
1. Fasting does not inspire or provoke God to love you. Again, it does not, in any way cause Him to love you in a greater way. In Mal 3:17, God says that we are His treasured possession!
2. Fasting doesn’t make God enjoy you any more. God already enjoys you… He delights in you! In Zeph 3:17 God says that He exalts over us with shouts of joy!
3. Fasting isn’t a get rich scheme to holiness. God has already made us holy and blameless through Christ’s finished work on the Cross. We don’t fast to get more of God but that we would experience, in a more profound way, the reality of God’s presence in our lives.
4. We don’t fast so that God would forgive us… but because He has already forgiven us!
5. Fasting is not a substitute for obedience. Some people fast as penance… as though their fasting will somehow balance out their disobedience. Sometimes, when a believer isn’t walking closely with the Lord, when the inward reality of their faith has begun to fade, they will retreat to the outward forms of the faith such as fasting. I suppose this makes sense… there is nothing on the inside, so they attempt to adorn their outside with religious garb. It doesn’t work. The bottom-line in all of this is that whenever we embrace a spiritual discipline in order to get God to love, enjoy, or forgive us, we have gotten ourselves into legalism.
Do you get the picture? We don’t fast to get God to set His heart towards us… but rather because God has already set His heart toward us and we are so secure in our weakness and the grace of God that we want to experience His grace more deeply. Because He is so indescribably lovely, we want to give ourselves over to Him more fully.
When we embrace the disciplines of the Spirit because of the revelation that He loves us as fallen and sinful people and that He loves us in our weakness because of Jesus Christ, that gratitude awakens in us a passion to be wholly the Lord’s in every area of our lives. And when we choose to express that gratitude through fasting, God chooses to reward us. One thing that I just adore is when little Rebecca roots. For the uninitiated, that is when baby opens his or her mouth like this indicating their desire for milk. In Psalm 81:10, the Lord says “open your mouth wide and I will fill it”. Fasting is our expression of an open mouth that says to God… we want more of you! It awakens that spirit within us with which we cry out, “Abba Father”. I want to be utterly devoted to you my Lord. No other gods, no other love. So, why does the Lord reward fasting?
WHY DOES God REWARD FASTING?
Jesus said to His disciples, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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.” Matt 6:17-18
I love that. Our Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward us when we fast! But the passage says more than the fact that He will reward our fasting… it explains the kind of fasting He rewards. Indeed, God rewards those who keep their gaze focused upon Him as they fast rather than on the praise of men. As He sees our heart, affectionately turned toward Him, seeing that we are not out to impress others with our spiritual discipline, but in weakness, expressing our needs and longings to Him, then we can be sure that He will reward us.
So why reward us? Piper writes, “God is committed to rewarding those acts of the human heart that signify human helplessness and hope in God.” REPEAT…. and that brings glory to God. So, if God is committed to reward us, what is that reward?
A deepened realization of God’s presence in our lives. Over and over again does Scripture remind us of God’s promises to meet with or draw near to those who stop depending on themselves and seek God as their treasure. Rev. 21:6 says, “I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of water of life without cost.” The reward of God is not something that can be purchased. It is free! Free to those who thirst after God. I am not speaking of thirsting after the things of God. Getting more involved in outreach, reading more books, etcetera wont do it. It is the poor in spirit, the contrite of heart, that He wishes to reward.
Like fasting, when we pray, we are looking away from ourselves to Christ as our only true help, our only hope. Both fasting and prayer cry out, “Father, I am empty, but you are full; I am hungry, but you are the Bread of Life; I am thirsty, but you are the fountain of Life. I am broken but you are whole.” We fast because we know in our heart that nothing on earth can satisfy our deepest longings beside God… that no one else can minister to our sick friend like God… that no one else can heal our land like our God, that no one can free us from the bondage of sin like our God.
DANGERS OF FASTING
Having shared with you why we should fast, what fasting does & doesn’t do, let me explain what I feel are some potential dangers of fasting. The first, legalism, I have already mentioned. So let me turn to what might be the most harmful and most common danger of fasting. That is…
Spiritual Pride. Fasting is used in most cultures for religious, health, and even political reasons. For example, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan where they fast from sunup to sundown. Even in Tajikistan, a great majority of the people fast. But when I ask them why they are fasting, they really don’t know why. In fact, throughout the month, the big question is, “are you fasting?” There is a great desire to look spiritual during this time. Those who are consistently drunk before the fast, wear beautiful robes, boasting of their fasting. Yet, this kind of spiritual pride can creep up in Christian fasting as well. In Mat 6:16, Jesus says, “whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men.” If a group of believers at church decide to fast for a time, it is not difficult for us to go ahead with them in order to look spiritual. The danger of this kind of hypocrisy is that it is so successful. People will see you and be impressed. The aim of receiving the praise of men will likely come about… but that is all you will get… when there is so much more in Christ.
People ask, can you tell others that you are fasting? After all, Jesus, in Mat 6 seems to exhort us to fast in secret. If you are part of a community, you will likely need to tell someone you are fasting. Certainly when Jesus fasted, His disciples who lived so closely with Him knew that He wasn’t eating. The issue isn’t whether you tell anyone or not but rather why you are telling them. If you can get away with it, it is better not to tell those around you that you are fasting… certainly no more than need to know. However, in the end, the motive for praying and fasting is what matters, not whether the acts are public or private. For example… Joyce and I were at our friend’s house in PA (the same friend that I mentioned last time… how I won the bet for only gaining three pounds…) Well, they were going to be preparing a very nice meal for us and knowing that, I needed to explain that I could not join them.
PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF FASTING (Bill Bright):
1) Why are you fasting? Perhaps you sense from the Spirit that you should fast but don’t really have a sense of why. In that case, ask the Lord to clarify what objectives you ought to have. Some reason that could provoked us to fast:
1. A desire for a deepened hunger for God. I want to know you more O Lord! Fasting says, “There is nothing in me with which I can muster up passion for you O Lord… but I love you so much and want to have a deeper longing and hunger after you.”
2. For guidance. Fasting says, “not my will but yours Father. I don’t want you to confirm my ideas anymore but rather, ‘teach me your ways O Lord.’
3. For healing… for yourself or another. We don’t know whether God’s plan will be to heal someone or not. But… we are never to be passive with our faith. When Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, he wasn’t so much weeping out of sorrow. After all, He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the grave. He wept because of the people’s lack of faith. They should have already known that Jesus was the Resurrection and the Life. He wants us to petition him on behalf of our sick friends or ourselves. Fasting for healing acknowledges before God our utter inability, our utter helplessness in the situation. I remember fasting over Shadullo when he was dying of TB. He eventually died. But there were other times when God saw fit to heal.
4. To intercede on behalf of our nation. A number of people in Scripture fasting in an effort to stop God’s impending judgment of their nation. When Daniel considered the desolation of Jerusalem, he said, in Daniel 9:3, “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer, petition, and fasting.” For the tens of millions of babies aborted, for rampant crime, drug use, divorce, pornography, violence, adultery… God would be wrong not to judge. But we fast, petitioning the Lord to heal our land and to send revival.
5. For help with the breaking of bondages. He strengthens our dedication to holiness, empowering us to break free of the bondages of sin. Is. 58:6 says that fasting unties the cords of the yoke. This includes those personal bondages, those sins which we can’t seem to break free from… the things that keep you from giving yourself more fully to the Lord. Fasting for release of those sins which bind us expresses to the Lord our recognition that we are powerless over sin but that He can empower us to break free of those sins.
There are many other reasons to fast. In Tajikistan, we fast to see a church established in our town… and for peace. The more clearly you understand you objective, the more able you will be to focus your prayers while fasting.
2. How Will You Fast?
a. What Kind of a Fast will you start? You must decided whether you will fast for a day, a meal, half a day, several days, a week, or more… please do consider a longer for. BB is seeking 2 million Americans to fast for 40 days. Generally speaking, fasting for longer periods is something you should build up to. Unless you really felt a prompting from the Lord to begin a longer fast, say a week or more, I would begin with shorter fasts. Perhaps breakfast and lunch, or a 24-hour fast. In this case, try fasting from lunch to lunch (thus missing only two meals).
b. What type of fast will you undertake: Only water or will you include juice? A healthy person can easily handle going with only water for a season. Obviously, if you are taking medication or have special medical conditions, you really should consult your doctor before fasting. Pregnant women or nursing moms should not fast. But as you consider fasting, take notice of all the reasons you are using to convince yourself you shouldn’t. I am too busy… I need the energy from food to enable me to fulfill my responsibilities at work, I usually eat out with people at lunchtime—what will I tell them? If you decide to use juice, I would water it down some and keep to low-acidic kinds. Don’t forget about using vegetable juices as well. Am I able to fast from something other than food? The answer is, of course, yet. However, keep in mind that fasting in the Bible was always a denial of food. But let it be something between you and God.
c. Decide what activities you will need to cut out. If you are fasting… particularly if you are fasting for more than 24 hours, than you shouldn’t plan of doing that 4 mile run or the 30 minutes aerobic workout. This is especially true if you are only taking water and if you are fasting longer than a day or more.
d. Consider how much time you will spend in prayer during your fast. Perhaps you can pray and worship through the times you would normally eat. Prayer must always be bound to your fasting. They go together.
e. Consider how often you will fast. Because God is not so much interested in the outward form but the inward change fasting produces, the effects of fasting are more significant if you embrace it as a practice in your walk with God. Perhaps once each month. Whatever it is… speak to the Lord about it.
3. Prepare Yourself Spiritually
a. Deal with unconfessed sin
b. Begin with an expectant heart
c. Be aware of spiritual opposition during your time
d. And, what if you fail in our fast? You know, when Rebecca finally walks for the first time, after she takes those first precious steps and then falls, do you think I will get angry with her for falling? I will tell the world about them!
4. Prepare Yourself Physically
a. speak to a doctor if necessary
b. prepare your body by cutting out sugars and caffeine the day or two before. This will help avoid headaches.
c. prepare yourself for some hunger pains, light headaches, and weakness if you are going to fast more than a day. If you are doing a longer fast, this will pass after the third or fourth day, after you body has rid itself of most toxins. Of course, drink a lot of water.
5. Breaking Your Fast
a. End gradually. I fasted for four days several weeks ago with water… but just as important were the two days afterward. The day I broke my water fast I spent eating only watermelon. The next day I ate watermelon, cantaloupe, and plain lettuce. The third day I basically returned to my regular diet.
b. Understand that while you fast, your intestines shrink. Introducing solid food right away can cause a serious stomach ache or worse. Consider the two days after your fast as part of your overall fast. For some of us, to eat in moderation is more difficult than eating at all.
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Well, that is it. We looked at the reasons for fasting, the dangers of fasting, the rewards of fasting, and the how-to of fasting. Now it is your turn. This week marks the beginning of PBC’s week of prayer and fasting. You need to discern what the Lord is telling you about your participation during the week. Should you fast? I can’t answer that for you. Though, my prayer is that you will embrace fasting as part of your walk with God. I really long to see us as a body grow in our hunger for God… that our passion for Jesus would grow so that our cups wont simply “runneth over” but that we would be completely
doused by a thirst for Jesus Christ. I would like to ask Jim Gilbert to provide a little background music… and I would like you all to consider how you might engage the Lord in fasting. Write whatever comes to your mind on your outline. I will close in prayer in just a few moments.
