Meanwhile His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then His disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought Him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” John 4:31-34
Is it possible to fast and be so focused and consumed with listening and reacting to the Father, that you don’t even realize you’re hungry? I believe it is. In fact, I know it is because I have experienced it in the past.
One time in particular comes to mind right now. Before I had adopted my oldest child, and when we were hearing God speak to us about how my adopting him could even happen, God told me to fast on a certain day. I had never fasted before, but I immediately agreed. That day as I fasted, I was not hungry. I was so consumed with Him that nothing else mattered. That fast ended up lasting for three days, and was still to this date, my most memorable and amazing fast.
Here’s what I know about fasting. If God instructs you to do so, then He will sustain you in amazing ways, but if you decide to do it for any other erroneous reason, it will be. So. Hard.
What He instructs, He provides grace for, but when we move on our own behalf and in our own strength or to manipulate God, well, it’s never good.
God spoke to me about writing this devotional post on fasting. I didn’t even know that was the direction He was leading when He first began to speak the above verses to my heart, but here we are. He works in mysterious and wonderful ways, that’s for certain. That’s why I can say, I will be fasting on the day this devotional is posted. I will take time to really focus my spirit on His and listen with extra diligence. I invite you to do the same. I invite you to fast with me and I can’t wait to hear what transpires in your day! Please share with me if amazing things happen. I would love to hear the confirmation of His word to me, and love to see you experiencing more of Him.
God, today I surrender my body to You. As I walk out this day without eating, let me instead be fed by Your Spirit. Lord, increase my awareness of You and give me courage to listen and obey when You instruct me. Above all, I want to honor You even with my body, so here I am. Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening. In Jesus name, amen.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:1-4
365 Days in the Presence 