Lent 2019 – Changing Our Hearts and Lives

Greetings –

Today’s scripture verse is from Isaiah 58:6, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”

The devotional topic today is about fasting.  Fasting is typically abstaining from food for a period of time.  The Bible provides many examples of this and we have seen it utilized by several people throughout history in order to call attention to something significant, one such person is Mahatma Gandhi, he fasted 17 times during India’s “Freedom Movement.”

Additionally, I found a website with at least forty references to fasting in the Bible and I have provided the link below, one example is Joel 2:12-13, “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.”

When considering fasting it’s important to note that it does not necessarily have to be related to food, in the Christian life fasting is a way to have and develop a deeper and more meaningful life with God.  It is about abstaining from things that separate us from God, it is removing distractions so we can focus on our relationship with God.  Some of you may have already decided to fast or refrain from something in order to draw closer to God.  It might be food, it could be caffeine, or possibly the words we sometimes use, it can also be our jobs, our recreational activities, and our actions or inactions.  No matter what it is, remember that the purpose is to connect with God.  I’m choosing to do less of some things so I can do more with God, taking note that I am responsible for caring for my physical health and remembering that there is still only 24 hours in a day and postponing some TV and leisure time activities in order to more fully connect with God is always a “WIN-WIN” in my book.  It is all about perspective, connecting and reinforcing the meaningful things in life.

What fast are you going to choose?

What might you abstain from?

Breath Prayer:  Nourishing God…I am hungry for you!

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-fasting/