“Self Denial”
Isaiah 58:2-5 (NIV)
2 For day after day they seek me out; they
seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is
right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just
decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,‘ and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you
do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in
striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today and
expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to
humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying
in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the
Lord?
As we fast, we must always remember that the focus is not in the
discipline of fasting, but in the seeking of God and his kingdom through the
denial of ourselves. We deny our desires
for His desires, and we deny our pride for His glory. Let us remember that this time is not to do
as we please, and not to bicker and argue over petty issues, but to lift up our
requests to the Jesus. In this time, we
trust that God is the strong One, the faithful One, and the righteous One to
demonstrate His power on our behalf.
Therefore, let us lift our eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith (Hebrews 12) and begin to pray for people with whom we may have conflict. Let's pause, take a
breath, and humble ourselves before our brother or sister. Let the Lord move
on our behalf to determine the proper justice of our circumstances and to shine
the light of revelation so that we see clearly in every situation. It may result in God humbling our pride so
that he can use us appropriately to be the light of the world.
Prayer:
“Lord, help us to not allow our fleshly desires to overtake us during
this time of fasting. Help us to humble
ourselves before our brother and sister so that you hear our prayers and move
on our behalf, giving you opportunity to show your justice and illuminate our
hearts with your revelation. We ask in
Jesus name, Amen.”
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