QUESTION:
- What is [true] fasting?
- Is fasting really effective if it isn't sacrificial?
So... once upon a time in the Bible, there was a lady named Esther and an amazing miracle that was performed through her. God was able to save an entire great people--the Jews--from death and agony that had been plotted against them.
King Ahasuerus, after making the mistake of exiling his queen due to the pressure of those around him, decided that constantly making choices off of others' opinions had only made his life more complicated. [This small event in itself proves that it is SO important as to whose voices you are listening to. God's voice? Man's voice? The world?... It makes a difference.] So the king now needed a new queen to fill the void that he allowed to be placed in his life through influence.
To summarize the story, the king sent for many young and beautiful women to come and basically be a part of a series of small events spent with the king in order for him to choose his new love. All of this really is pretty equal to a season of The Bachelor.
Esther, a Jew, concealed her identity and was eventually chosen as new queen without her husband's acknowledgement of her race, beliefs, or culture.
The king and Esther however sincerely fell in love, and on began their relationship together. God knew that the time would come that Esther would have to take a huge step in faith and convince the king to save her and her people.
There are a lot of good points and topics in this story, but the point I want to make is about fasting.
15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
17] So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Before Esther ever went to the king [possibly threatening her life], she went to her people and in verse 16, requested that all of the Jews fast food and drink constantly for 3 days.
The power in fasting is incredible, and at the end of this story God was behind her cause 100%, and an incredible miracle was worked out.
But what if the Jews hadn't fasted? What if they only had fasted from an event or a small object that they didn't really miss? How much would they have gotten God's attention?
I truly believe that the power in fasting comes by the sacrifice made personally. If it weren't a difficult task, it really wouldn't make much of a difference. However when you go out of your way to give up something that you love and desire greatly, it becomes a greater sacrifice and I believe God honors that with His presence and anointing.
Of course I don't mean that if you're not fasting food or if you fast only a meal that it isn't going to be effective. Fasting always depends on your personal walk with God and your personal desires. It was proven in the book of Esther that sacrifice to God means a lot, and He'll come through for you if you will honor Him. We only deserve as much as we give! . . .
God bless!! :)
- What is [true] fasting?
- Is fasting really effective if it isn't sacrificial?
So... once upon a time in the Bible, there was a lady named Esther and an amazing miracle that was performed through her. God was able to save an entire great people--the Jews--from death and agony that had been plotted against them.
King Ahasuerus, after making the mistake of exiling his queen due to the pressure of those around him, decided that constantly making choices off of others' opinions had only made his life more complicated. [This small event in itself proves that it is SO important as to whose voices you are listening to. God's voice? Man's voice? The world?... It makes a difference.] So the king now needed a new queen to fill the void that he allowed to be placed in his life through influence.
To summarize the story, the king sent for many young and beautiful women to come and basically be a part of a series of small events spent with the king in order for him to choose his new love. All of this really is pretty equal to a season of The Bachelor.
Esther, a Jew, concealed her identity and was eventually chosen as new queen without her husband's acknowledgement of her race, beliefs, or culture.
The king and Esther however sincerely fell in love, and on began their relationship together. God knew that the time would come that Esther would have to take a huge step in faith and convince the king to save her and her people.
There are a lot of good points and topics in this story, but the point I want to make is about fasting.
15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
17] So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Before Esther ever went to the king [possibly threatening her life], she went to her people and in verse 16, requested that all of the Jews fast food and drink constantly for 3 days.
The power in fasting is incredible, and at the end of this story God was behind her cause 100%, and an incredible miracle was worked out.
God bless!! :)
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