Let’s be clear in our thoughts. There’s no value before God in the mere abstinence from food. The value stems from the ability to put God first by the laying aside of other things. Fasting is an indication of the earnestness of the soul. It is honestly and sincerely, sometimes desperately, reaching out for God and His will. Fasting indicates that there’s something we want either in ourselves or for God so greatly that we want to put everything aside until we attain it. Fasting is the complete emptying of everything in order that God may fill us.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:5-8 NIV
Pastor Winston
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