HUMBLING OURSELVES THROUGH FASTING
"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we
might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us
and our little ones and all our possessions." Ezra 8:21
Ezra called for a fast so they could humble themselves before God. The
word translated humble is anah, and it also means to afflict. According to The
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, its primary meaning is "to
force or try to force into submission" and to "punish or inflict pain
upon." Psalm 35:13 says, "But as for me, when they were sick, my
clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting."
First, fasting is to humble ourselves before God. If we humble ourselves
and pray, God said He will hear us (2 Chronicles 7:14). Second, fasting
helps us force our flesh into submission. Jesus let us know that though the
spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. The flesh wants to do things contrary to
the spirit. By fasting, we free our spirit to pray as we ought and to receive
from God.
Let's fast today and seek the face of God. Let's approach Him humbly
with our requests, and whatever might have been bothering us. Let's fast and
pray, interceding for others all around the world; let's fast and pray asking
that the perfect will of God prevail. As you do, God will answer you! As you
do, you will prevail! And as you do, sicknesses will go, pains will disappear,
and every good thing you've been carrying in your womb will be brought forth!
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