Fasting Prompted By Fear

# 266 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:18 “The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting.”

Fasting is a beneficial spiritual tool that God has given to His people. Unfortunately, it seems to be one of the those tools that finds it’s way to the bottom of the toolbox and is forgotten about. In the days ahead, we'll continue to look at some of the uses of this “tool” and pray that you will be moved to use it in your life and in the life of your church on a regular basis.

Fasting was often used by God’s people during times of a national threat. In Second Chronicles 20 we read of a time when the Israelites were about to be attacked by the Moabites and the Ammonites. King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and the people gathered together for prayer and worship. The Lord heard their prayers, responded to their worship, and utterly defeated their enemies.

When is the last time that you heard of a call for a national fast in the churches of our land? The Moabites and the Ammonites are not arrayed against us, but an even greater enemy of apathy and secular humanism have amassed outside the gates of the church in America.

Biblical morality and standards are mocked. All manner of sin abounds in the land, and in many cases has become accepted by the church. Doesn't this frighten you? Aren't you concerned for your friends, loved ones, and neighbors who are being swept up and overtaken by the enemy? Jehoshaphat was.

“Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” ( 2 Chr 20:3)

Try reading Second Chronicles 20 this weekend. Be encouraged as you read of the results of this fast. May this Word of the Lord send you and I scurrying to the toolbox seeking victory over these enemies through prayer and fasting and praise and worship.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.