Fasting

Good Morning,

Daniel 1:8-17 (NIV)
Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you."
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
John 8:44 (NIV)
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

I know that many of us have been asked about the "why" of fasting and prayer that we undertake from time to time. I think that in reading the verses in Daniel today we have at least one excellent reason for taking on a fast. Daniel told the official in charge of him and his friends that they chose not to partake of the "royal food and wine" that were to be given as their sustenance. Daniel decided for himself and his friends to undertake a fast of only eating vegetables and drinking water. God honored them in doing this..."not to defile himself in this way" by eating the rich foods and drinking the wine that was offered...by showing at the end of the ten days He had more than supplied necessary nutrition to them, as we read, "At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food." You see, God DID provide all that was needed for their health and well being. God also rewarded these young men who honored Him by not defiling their bodies. He gave to them something that is beyond wealth or fortune, He gave to them knowledge and understanding...and to Daniel, the understanding of visions and dreams.

This, the "knowledge and understanding" is the reward that can be ours, as well, when we decide to take on a fast in honor and in worship of God. This is what the answer is to the "why" of that question about fasting and prayer. Now, that's not to say that those who ask this will understand, but I think that it shows there is something well worth while for our efforts. Even worldly people can comprehend something when there is a reason given. They may not agree, but it's not up to us to convince them. That's God's job.

So, what does the verse in John have to do with Daniel and fasting? On the surface, I guess, it would appear that they are not really related. But, it is here today to show us that there is also a reason for people to question our rationale about taking on a fast and prayer time in our lives. You see, many who will ask us and question our motives are speaking for the enemy and are simply trying to put doubts into our minds and have us abandon what they are telling us is a useless undertaking. The devil does NOT want to see us succeed in a time of fasting and prayer. He hates it when we honor God in any way and especially in this way...fasting and prayer. So, this verse from John is here to remind us that there will be those who will attempt to have us waver and be uncertain during times of fast and prayer. The devil is a liar. He uses people to lie to us. He convinces them, easily it seems, that what we are doing is foolish and then has them come to us to try to place uncertainty and misgivings into our minds. He is, as we read, "a liar and the father of lies." This, I think, is the reason that we are questioned and even ridiculed when we undertake worship in the manner of fasting and prayer.

Now, one last thing about fasting. It works! It works in more ways than one. Yes, it does, truly, give us a much more spiritual and personal understanding of Scripture and even the world. But, let's not forget, it also makes us healthier in our bodies, just as it did to Daniel and his friends. I know, I tried it...it did work.

It's more than worth any effort or short lived discomfort. Honest.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David