I wish I could write this whole chapter but time will not permit. He shares some wonderful stories. I'm trying to keep the focus on the principle of fasting, itself. Don't forget if you are just joining the blog...read the passages. They are not up for discussion...it is what it is and says what it means! These are notes taken directly out of Jentezen's book, everything in italics.
Ps. 121:1-4
When you are on a fast, you usually do not feel like celebrating. It is a time to press into God, to seek Him, and forsake the things of the flesh. Within hours of beginning a fast, you may find that food is the first thing on your mind (right before your stomach begins to growl).
Matt. 5:4
Isaiah 61:2-3
Are there "burnt out" experiences in your life--ugly reminders of past hurts and failed dreams? Don't throw away the ashes. God will give you beauty for ashes. He will give you the anointing of His presence, which is the oil of joy for your mourning.
Fasting Breaks the Spirit of Heaviness
The spirit of heaviness has to do with despondency, depression, and oppression. Americans use drinking, smoking, drugs, medications, overeating, and other harmful behaviors to try to lift the spirit of heaviness. Instead of looking for more stuff to put into our bodies to east the pain, we should fast and seek the God who gives us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that afflicts so many.
Heaviness drains worship out of your life. God desires our praise more than our mere church attendance. That is not to say we should forsake assembling together as a corporate body. But our times together, just as our times alone, should be to glorify and praise our aswesome, mighty God. Praise pushes back the enemy!
2 Chron. 20:2-3, 12,14,17, 20-22
Jehoshaphat could have died under the spirit of heaviness. The scriptures says that he "feared," but he only paused a moment there. He immediately set himself and all the people of Judah to seek the Lord through fasting and prayer.
There is power in corporate fasting and power in corporate praise! It is time to exchange ashes for beautiful, mourning for joy, and a garment of heaviness for a garment of praise.
What Eating Accomplishes
A friend called me just as we were about to begin the corporate fast. To my surprise he said, "I feel so sorry for you." He actually felt sorry for me because I was about to lay down food for the joy of seeking the Lord for twenty-one days. I replied, "Don't feel sorry for me. In fact, I feel sorry for you." Then I challenged him: "I'll make a deal with you. God ahead and eat your food for the next twenty-one days. We will compare notes at the end of the year to see if the food you ate accomplished for you what fasting for the next 21-days accomplished for me." As evidenced in Daniel 1:15, eating does not accomplish what fasting does.
No matter what is going on in your life right now, you can set yourself to fasting and praying to seek the God who sees you as having great worth. Don't believe the lies of the enemy. Don't sink further under the spirit of heaviness. God has a garment of praise for you. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. As you fast, you will begin to see yourself through His eyes.
I want me a garment of praise, don't you?!
Be blessed and have a wonderful day.
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