INTRODUCTION

Modern Christianity has been redefining Bible terminology and fasting is no exception. Perhaps this is because Christians want to look spiritual without the necessary dedication. Some claim to be fasting from certain things like caffeine or sugar intake. The Bible does not offer anyone this type of latitude. True biblical fasting involves much more than refraining from some handpicked pleasure. According to our passage, Paul entreated the people to take meat because they had been fasting for two weeks. Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
See All... reveals that fasting consists of taking no food or drink. Although some Bible teachers have suggested that fasting means to simply refrain from earthly joys, fasting in the Bible always includes refraining from food or from both food and drink. Even the results of fasting identify that it is associated with depriving the body of food. In Psalm 109:24My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
See All..., David said, “My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.” Foregoing earthly pleasures is a byproduct of fasting, not the sole object.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Read Matthew 15:32Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
  See All.... Jesus called going without food fasting. Fasting can also mean going without food and water (Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
  See All...).
• (For everyone):  When is the last time you purposely refused to eat or drink anything for the purpose of bringing glory to God? What was the reason for which you fasted?
• Have you ever fasted? If not, why? Do you think the Lord mentions fasting without purpose or do you think He truly desires for His people to fast?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you the courage to fast for Him.
• Ask God to teach you the benefits of fasting.

HYMN

FROM EVERY EARTHLY PLEASURE

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