Purpose in Fasting – Ezra 8:21-23

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:21-23

Purpose in Fasting – Ezra 8:21-23

God’s love is displayed in His character and actions toward us. He is merciful and gracious. He is slow to anger. He is abounding in steadfast love. It is actually how He describes Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness  Exodus 34:6-7

When we fast, we are drawing near to this God of love. He wants to spend time with us, through prayer and through His Word. Fasting can help us clear our minds and open up time to spend in the arms of His love. 

What is fasting?

Fasting in the Bible refers to abstaining from food for a purpose. Most of the time, it is absolute – meaning only drinking liquids, with no solid food intake. However, sometimes it can refer to following a specific or strict diet for a period of time, such as a fast Daniel is recorded as doing. In modern times, people do the types of fasts that are written about in the Bible, but they also may abstain or fast from an activity, such as social media or television. 

The point is that the thing from which fast should be something that we partake in often. Even something that we feel compelled to eat or do. When we feel the compunction for those things, it is a reminder to pray instead. We replace the thing we are fasting with time with God. 

Purpose in Fasting

Fasting also helps us bring our selfish nature into submission. We sacrifice our own wants to bow to what God wants. Fasting is a demonstration of us humbling ourselves before God, but we can also fast for breakthrough on a request. This passage in Ezra 8 shows the people doing both these things. 

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:21-23

The people of Israel fasted to humble themselves, and they fasted to ask God to intervene on their behalf. And God heard their prayers. He listened and came to their defense. 

God’s directive to fast

God even instructs His people to fast.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

    “return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 

    and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord your God,

    for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;

    and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12-13

In Joel 2, the Lord says that fasting is a part of returning to Him and humbling ourselves before the Creator God of the universe. Creator God is like a Father to us. He is not frowning and waiting for us to mess up. He is full of love and mercy and grace – allowing us opportunity after opportunity to return to relationship with Him.

Action Step:

Take today to think about your purpose in fasting. Are you asking God for a breakthrough in a specific situation? Do you just want to feel closer to God? Are you seeking a deeper revelation of His love? All of these are great reasons for a time of fasting! And I am sure that you all may come up with many more. 

If you would like us to pray with you, feel free to share your purpose in fasting in the Facebook group. We would also love to hear your thoughts and see your Bible journaling pics!

Prayer:

Dear God, Give us insight into the purpose for our fasting. Help us to feel Your amazing love for us and to draw close to You. Give us strength to resist temptation and choose You instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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