DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Which Way? | DAY 11 of 40 (LENT)

Times of prayer and fasting can be tricky.

As we kick off the 3rd week of Lent, let’s quickly check in: How are we doing? Are our sacrifices reminding us to pray and seek God? Or are they becoming more perfunctory?

Be encouraged. If some days are more consistent than others, we’re in good company. God’s people in the Book of Isaiah had ups and downs too.

Day 11: TODAY’S READING
Click here to read ISAIAH 58: 1-12

From the Scripture, we see 2 distinct ways to fast:

What’s really going on?
We see that God’s people can fast and just go through the motions. They can “outwardly” do what looks like fasting, i.e. putting on sackcloth and ashes, giving up food, crying aloud to be seen; but their hearts can be far from true fasting.

While God’s people fasted in Isaiah, they argued and fought and cheated each other and sought their own desires instead of asking God what He desired. They spoke wickedly and made accusations and put on yokes instead of bringing about freedom. Their fast was just a “show”. It wasn’t a fast that grew out of their true devotion and dependence on God.

The Truth:
God exposes our true motivations because He wants us to experience the true freedom that comes while fasting.

Fasting is more than giving up food or sacrificing something important. That’s just one component: the outward manifestation. There is also an inner reality of humility.

If we give up food, but do not pray and seek God, then, we’re just hungry.
The giving up process is simply a means to remind us to seek and depend on God.
The “giving up” should be replaced with “giving in” to God.
God promises that a true fast results in Him guiding us and satisfying us. Let’s ask for that.

The true fast is the one where the bonds of wickedness are broken and people are set free.
The true fast is the one where we serve and meet the needs of others and our families.
The true fast results in recovery and healing and strengthening and refreshing.
The true fast results in God guiding and satisfying us.

Let’s ask the Lord today to reveal to us our true motivations. Which way are we fasting?

Are we going through the motions? Or are we really seeking God? Do we expect spiritual transformation?

God wants us to know what true fasting is because He wants us to experience transformation. Be encouraged, Fam, and let’s press in.

PRAYER:
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.