Day 4: Matthew 4
FAST LOVE (4:1-17)
At the start of Jesus' ministry, he fasts for 40 days. He spends time dedicating himself, submitting his earthly desires before God. 40 days is a mammoth time. I know church leaders who have done this before starting their church, and I know it's possible. I also know that I struggle to fast, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I love food. It’s weak, but that's the truth. Secondly, I lack the discipline to make it part of my routine.
When I have fasted, it's often been for specific reasons. While fasting and prayer should go hand in hand, I know that if I only fast at times when I have a big need to place before God, then at best I'm missing out and at worst I'm trying to force God's hand by showing Him how important the issue is to me. I'm not sure that's the only biblical model for fasting. I know David fasted as he prayed for the life of his son through Bathsheba and that Israel came together and fasted and prayed. However, Jesus (as he so often does) seems to take that a step further.
During his ministry, Jesus uses phrases like 'when you fast' and people question him about why his followers aren't fasting when John the Baptist's are. The principle in the gospels seems to be that fasting is a regular thing to do, not to be solely reserved for big moments when we need to cry out to God for something specific. When Jesus spends 40 days fasting and praying, he removes himself from all 'normal' earthly satisfaction, in order to show God that He is the priority, that He is all important.
The act of laying down something which is so much a part of our daily lives is something significant as we strive to seek God. In the Biblical context, that relates to food and that's a good option as we feel the pangs of hunger and we recognise that our relationship with God is not just something nice that should fit into our routines. It does us good to deliberately put something aside to focus on God, showing Him that He is our priority above all else. As we do this, we place Him at the rightful position as Lord over our lives and it brings us a reality check of what's important, and where we stand with God.
I don't think it's stretching too far to say that we can fast in other areas as well. We can fast anything, as long as the point is that we do it in order to gain more intimacy with God. If we do it to prove we're not obsessed with these things, then we've missed the purpose. We do it to remind ourselves that God has the first place in our heart, and to spend some extra moments in His presence.
You see, time with God isn't meant to be hard work. It's meant to inspire us, to thrill us. One day we will spend forever with Him and we will know exactly what we were created for as we live in His presence, untainted by this world. As we walk in communion with God, living in His embrace, we may wonder what it was about that meal, that football game, that TV programme that could have possibly seemed so appealing compared to spending time with our Father, being loved and loving Him back.
When we really stop to think, it doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice or a burden. It's a privilege and if we have the clarity to see this, then we just may start to get what life with God can be really all about.
This week, what is there that you can cut out for a short period? Not because it's sinful or wrong to spend your time on it, but just to spend more time with God. Not just to pray for anything specific, just because He's worth it
As you think about what it is, share it with someone. There are so many things that I intend to do, and that I know will greatly benefit my life or the lives of others, but then I let just drift away and nothing happens. Let’s keep each other accountable, driving each other on to go deeper into the things of God, spurring each other on to just spend time at His feet. If you're anything like me, it'll be tough to do at first, but once you've cleared the space in your schedule and sat down with God, you won't regret it.
A challenging read!
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