Why do we fast? David Platt

Why do disciples of Jesus fast?

Because our souls feast on the glory of God.

Fasting is an external expression of an internal reality.

When we fast for a meal or a day or week, we remind ourselves that more than our stomachs long for the pleasure of food, our souls long for the Presence of God.

We are satisfied in Him and by Him in a way that nothing in this world can compare to--not even the basic daily necessity of food.

Fasting makes sense as a discipline in the Christian life today only if it is connected with desire for Christ.

When we fast, we say, More than we want our hunger to cease, we want Your Kingdom to come!

--- From Follow Me, by David Platt


When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men that they are fasting.

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
   -- Matthew 6:16-18

When Your words showed up, I ate them -- swallowed them whole. What a feast! What a delight I took in being Yours, O God!
 -- Jeremiah 15:16 (The Message)


When we fast we are declaring that we want more of God -- that we want to feast on Him!

It's All About Easter - Michael Kelly Blanchard

From The Lord of the Lonely Inside, by Michael Kelly Blanchard


The trouble with me - I just can't seem to trust
My wounds just bleed and won't heal up...

There is no sorrow that God cannot heal

   There is no damage that He did not feel

     Tenderly holding you close as you cry
       Jesus the Lord of the lonely inside
                 Jesus the Lord of All Love, crucified....

~~~~~~~~~~

Jesus, the Lord of those who feel alone....

In the Garden...

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."...

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?"   Matthew 26:36-40


From the Cross....

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46

     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows -- Isaiah 53:3



From an older hymn,
"Man of Sorrows," What A Name,
by Philip Bliss (1838-1876)


"Man of Sorrows!" what a name for the Son of God
    who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place
    condemned he stood
Sealed my pardon with his blood - Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Lifted up was he to die - "It is finished!" was his cry 
Now in heaven exalted high, hallelujah, what a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious king, all his ransomed
      home to bring
Then anew this song we'll sing, hallelujah, what a Savior!

It's All About Easter - Joni Eareckson Tada

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 
                                       -- 1 Corinthians 15:54



Suffering gets us ready for the resurrection.

Broken necks, broken homes, and broken hearts crush our hopes that earthly things can satisfy.

Only the promise of immortality can truly move our eyes from this world. The glorious day when "death will be swallowed up in victory" becomes our passion as we realize, once and for all, that earth can never meet our deepest longings.

Suffering also prepares us to meet God when we get to heaven.

Suppose you never knew pain. No stained reputation. No bruised feelings. No sore back, twisted ankle, or decayed molars. How could you appreciate the scarred hands with which Christ will greet you? 

What if no one had ever offended you deeply? How could you adequately express your gratitude when you approach the Man of Sorrows, who was acquainted with grief?

When you meet Jesus face-to-face, your hardships will have given you a taste of what He went through to purchase the promise of your resurrection. And your loyalty to Him in your sufferings will give you something concrete to offer in return.


     For what other proof could you bring of your love
     if this life left you totally unscarred?



I praise You, Sovereign Lord, that You use suffering
to prepare me for heaven. Help me to live today with the promise of resurrection before me, giving me a reason to thank You in the midst of my pain.

Keep me from complaining and grumbling. For on the day that I stand before Jesus, I want to offer Him proof of my love and faithfulness.

   From Diamonds in the Dust by Joni Eareckson Tada