via TJC
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves, before our God, to seek from Him, a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, ‘The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him.’ So we fasted and implored our God for this, and He listened to our entreaty.” Ezra 8”21-23
Thus far this week we have been focusing on fighting battles through the weapons given to us by God through Prayer, Praise, and Worship. Today we will focus on Fasting.
Years ago, my then wife and I had an argument where we both had severely offended one another with our words. We agreed to Biblically separate for a few days to seek the Lord’s guidance for the path forward. My wife took the kids to the beach and I stayed home.
I had never fasted before. Listening to a message by a pastor on our local Christian radio station, the Lord impressed upon me the need to fast to seek His guidance regarding resolving the impasse with my wife. I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing, I just started fasting, only drinking water for several days, and praying for guidance for myself and my wife.
As the verses from Ezra above state, “He listened”, and when my wife and kids returned from the beach, we experienced healing and restoration at that time as husband and wife, and as a family.
Daily Battle Order:
Fasting is one of the weapons that the Lord has given to us. In my experience, the lack of food made me focus more on relationship with God and with family than I otherwise would have. I needed God’s strength more and more as my strength became less and less due to fasting. Ezra’s experience was different than mine based on his need. What is your need? I challenge you to seek the Lord through fasting. He will listen, and He will provide guidance to meet your need. If may not come in the way you expect it, however, that’s how the Lord works!
Join us tomorrow when we will focus on fighting our battles through Tithes and Offerings.
Comments