The Why of Fasting: Focus

This week I have been meditating on the book of Nehemiah. God has used this portion of Scripture to make several impressions upon me with regard to my spiritual life and the direction of CrossRoad Church. As I reflected upon chapter 9, I realized that there was much we could learn about prayer and fasting as spiritual disciplines as we continue to seek the face of God on behalf of Rob Meldrum during his tour of duty in Iraq.

The book of Nehemiah is a wonderful account of how God used one man to lead a remnant of Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. As the city and its protective walls are rebuilt, the nation rediscovers the Word of God, which had long been neglected. As they studied the Word, they were reminded of both God's miraculous provision and protection throughout their history and God's just punishment of the nation when they abandoned His directives. In response to the Word, the nation gathered in worship and celebration. In chapter nine the people in Jerusalem participated in a corporate fast. It is from this chapter that I would like to draw several principles that, if applied, will make your time of fasting a blessing in your spiritual life.

1) As we pray and fast, our focus should be drawn away from the world and toward God. In verse 2, we see that the Israelites intentionally separated themselves from those who were not of Jewish descent (the people of God). As they did, they began to pray, confess their sins, and focus on the Word of God. This provides a helpful directive for us as we seek to fast and draw near to God. Our abstention from food is intended to help us focus on what truly sustains us - God. This week as I fasted, God used the empty feeling and hunger pangs in the pit of my stomach to remind me of my absolute dependence upon God for all things. That dependence extends to the very food that I shared with my family as I broke my fast on Monday evening. I assure you that as the feeling of dependence grips you it will change your approach to prayer.

2) As we pray and fast, we should meditate upon God's patience,mercy, and grace, and covenant faithfulness which should lead us to repent of our sin. Most of Nehemiah 9 is devoted to remembering the history of the nation of Israel. The subtitle of the chapter could be "The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same." As you read the chapter, you will notice that as the Israelites are recounting their history during this corporate fast, a recurring theme dominates the chapter. God makes provision or provides protection and then Israel rebels, blasphemes God, and violates their covenant relationship with God. Through all of Israel's failures and rebellion there was one constant, God was always faithful to his covenant children. This reality has direct application for everyone reading this blog. While we have a tendency to view the nation of Israel in the OT with a certain amount of incredulity, the truth is we are no different than they were. Our history (both as individuals and as a church) is one of failure and rebellion. God stands with us in spite of our failures because He is faithful to keep his promises even when we are not.

As we reflect upon God's faithfulness and our failures, it should lead us to repent and return to the one that has redeemed us at great cost, the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is only as reflection and repentance take place that we truly will be prepared to intercede on behalf of whomever it is that we are praying (in this case the Meldrums). God's patience, mercy, grace, and covenant faithfulness were demonstrated supremely in the cross of Jesus Christ. As we pray and fast, we should do so with great attention paid to the sacrificial death of our substitute.

3) As we reflect on God's faithfulness it should affect how we pray. As mentioned earlier, no matter what Israel's situation, God was present in their midst. When they were slaves in Egypt, God was there. When they were meandering through the wilderness, God was there. When they entered the promised land and faced enemies with superior strength, God was there. Even when they rebelled and reaped the fruit of their rebellion in the form of exile, God was with them. Why? Because our God is a faithful God who has promised to be with us in our time of need. This great truth should govern how we pray for the Meldrum family over the next year. As we fast and pray for this family, we should pray not only for God's provision and protection; we should also pray that they would constantly be aware of God's promise and presence. No matter how difficult things may be for Rob as he serves in the desert that is Iraq, no matter how challenging life is for CJ and the kids when they 6,600 miles away from him, God is with them and He alone can sustain them through this trial. We must pray that they remain aware of God's sustaining presence and grace.

As mentioned in my previous post, as you pray, pray for Rob's safety, pray for CJ and the kids as they face life without Rob for the next year, but most of all pray that God would use this challenging time as an opportunity to glorify Himself by drawing each member of this family closer to Him.

Remember, I am praying for you as you pray for the Meldrums. Remember, we fast so we can focus.

Chris