Praying that your fast is going well and you are growing stronger in the Spirit every single day. If you have missed any of our posts this month you can catch up here.
We all know we need to fast; some of us just need to be encouraged to do so! Jesus didn’t say, “If we fast”. He said “When ye fast…” Matthew 6:16-18.
The prophet Nehemiah fasted when he heard that his beloved city of Jerusalem had been reduced to ruins.
“And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, ‘Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’ Then the king said to me, ‘What are you requesting?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.’ ….And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” Nehemiah 2:2-8 ESV.
Nehemiah was heartbroken at the news he had received of his homeland.
He sat down.
He cried.
He mourned.
For days.
He fasted.
He prayed.
He asked for mercy when he went before the king. He also humbly asked for permission, for caution and wisdom. Then he headed to Jerusalem to rebuild the city!
Nehemiah was sold out and committed. The gate was being restored, the city was being rebuilt and he was in charge. The people were under fear of attack at any time. They worked from sunrise to sunset with half of the men always on guard. They never even took off their clothes but carried their weapons with them at all times, even when they went for water. “…The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.” Nehemiah 4:17
Nehemiah, and those working with him, would not come down from the wall until the job was completed! They didn’t sit down and whine and complain that it was too hard. They didn’t stop the work and wait for the attack that they knew was inevitable. They kept on working and yet were vigilant at the same time.
Nehemiah even tells them in verse 19, “…the work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
Nehemiah knew he couldn’t do it alone. It took fasting, prayer and being totally committed to the work and cause of the Kingdom. He never gave up.
Have the walls of your life been broken down?
Does the enemy of your soul lie to you and torment you on every turn?
Are you filled with anxiety, fear and dread every day?
Then do like Nehemiah: Weep, mourn, fast, pray, ask for caution and wisdom. Then what?
Start rebuilding the foundation in your life!
If God isn’t first in your life; change that. Start your day with prayer and The Word and work on your relationship with Him. Put your faith and confidence in the One who delivers, heals, restores and brings peace to a troubled mind. Let Him give you the strength to put one stone upon another.
Never give up!
God answers prayers of sacrifice, desperation and commitment. What are you praying for today?
Don’t forget to get your copy of The Daniel Fast Devotional! Great for ANY FAST, it will be your go-to tool for years to come. Already have one in Kindle or paperback? Blessings to you as you fast unto the Lord.