Lent Devotion: Fasting, Day Five

Matthew 4 (NIV) ¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." ⁴Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness without food or water. This would be fatal to most of us and should not be attempted. Just a few days without water is dangerous and should never be included in a fast. The strict fast – going without food for a period of time – is not for the faint of heart or the weak of spirit; however, it is one of the best ways to allow God to speak to your heart.

There are things in our lives that control us. While it may seem subtle, we are controlled by our car loan, home mortgage, and electric bill. Since we’ve decided to make these things a part of our lives, we must spend time earning an income to ensure we have them. In a sense, they have us more than we have them. These are things we could do without if push came to shove, but very few people in our society make that choice.

Food is a necessity. We can’t do without it. The fact we often give it little reflection indicates it may own us more than we own it. As you fast, whenever the hunger pangs come, spend time in fellowship with God. God will be present in your efforts. Mealtime becomes God time and an opportunity for you to seek God’s heart. Start by missing one meal per week, and then maybe two. In time, you will experience God inviting you to miss a full day with more joy than pain.