Week 9 Day 1 Devotions
Why Fast?
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Ezra 8:21 (King James Version)
A huge crowd of returning exiles who have been in Babylon for seventy years and whose children have been born in exile and have never seen their homeland, stop on the banks of a river and call a fast. In all probability this was one of the streams of Mesopotamia which flowed into the Euphrates somewhere in the north-west of Babylonia. It has, however, been proposed that it is the name of a place on the Euphrates, east of Damascus.
Be that as it may, at a certain place, at a certain time, a certain people fast for certain reasons.
Firstly, they fast for, what Wesley calls “public mercies.” “Publick prayers must be made, that all who are to share in the comfort may share in the requests for it.” Sometimes it is good to call a family fast, a small group fast, a church fast or even a national fast. Secondly, they “afflict” themselves (i.e. by fasting). Why afflict ourselves? Mr. Wesley again: “afflict ourselves for our sins and so be qualified for the pardon of them. When we are entering on any new condition of life, our care should be to bring into it none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition.” Thirdly, and still with Mr. Wesley: “when we are in any imminent danger, let us make our peace with God, and then nothing can hurt us.” Fourthly, they ask God to lead them on their journey and protect them and their children and all their possessions, trusting Him to lead them in the way that will be best for them.
Do any of the above apply in your life?
Perhaps it’s time to fast.
