Selwyn starts today’s study, with: “There are many reasons for fasting other than the ones we considered yesterday, but what counts above all else is this: biblical fasting must always have a spiritual purpose.” He also mentions that some people may decide to fast after reading these studies because they feel guilty for not having fasted for some time – this sort of case falls outside the definition of a spiritual purpose.
Another good piece of advise, given in today’s study, is that through prayer God’s Spirit will guide us to ‘what is the right times, the appropriate times to fast. Read a good book on the theme of fasting before you begin. And keep in mind the caution given earlier: if you are suffering from a medical condition that precludes you from fasting then don’t do it.’
In 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 (NIV), we read: “Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar’ (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”
When I read passages from the Bible, like the one above, I am left with the view that we should fast when we are alarmed and distress about an issue and we feel compelled to go to our Lord and to seek His help and guidance. Likewise in Acts 14:21-23 (NIV), we have an example of fasting when church leaders were seeking God’s help in the selection of elders – important spiritual decision that would influence the growth of each church: ‘Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.’
If people like Paul and Barnabas saw the need for fasting; then how more need, do we have – when addressing important spiritual decisions?