January 8, 2021
Fasting to Hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Maybe you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before. Blow the ram’s horn in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Gather all the people-the elders, the children, and even the babies. (Joel 2:12-16 NLT)
My precious child fasting is a form of self-denial, self-discipline and is a cure-all for doubt and unbelief. Fasting will squash pride. Fasting as a Christian is an expression that your appetite or hunger does not dominate you. It is a reminder to yourself that you are to eat to live not live to eat! (Psalms 35:11-13) What is fasting? Fasting means to abstain or go without food, denying yourself of pleasure, leisure, recreation, and hobbies. It is self-imposed, so you can focus on seeking Me the Lord your God. Many fast with the wrong heart motive, but what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of repentance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourself with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please Me the Lord your God? “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that have people bound. (Isaiah 58:4-6 NLT) The Hebrew children did partial fast, which is called the Daniel Fast meaning you can eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and water for ten days. Amazingly when they finished their fasts, they looked and felt better and had lost excess weight. I blessed them for their self-denial openly and visibly, and I will do the same for you. Fasting is an excellent way to give the organs in your body a break, and it is healthy for you.
Esther and Joel called for a three-day fast to deliver My people from their present situation. (Esther 4:16-17 NLT) In the book of Esther, the Jews fasted and prayed for three days to deliver them from their current situation. Haman had set a date for all Jews to be killed during the reign of King Ahasuerus, Esther’s husband. She called a fast before she went to see the King. A dramatic turnaround happened as they were fasting and praying to God, God heard their prayers and saved the Jews. Haman’s plans were exposed and brought to light, and he was hung the guillotine he had built and planned to kill all the Jews. (Esther 7:10) Joel called for a three day fast, and the Lord promised after fasting and praying He would pour out His Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out My Spirit even on servants – men and women alike. Also, I will cause wonders in the heavens on the earth – blood and fire and columns of smoke. (Joel 2:28-30 NLT) My disciples proved to be powerless to cast out a demon from a child and didn’t understand why they failed. I enlightened them and told them this kind can only come out but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:16-28) Isaiah said, ‘fasting will radically change your life and give you the power to walk in the supernatural. If you desire to walk in the supernatural realm and your life will be dramatically changed fasting may be your answer! Come up higher! Come up close and spend time with Me!
