Fasting

February 13, 2013

Opening Hymns:
Come Into The Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)
Thy Word (Red Praise Book 234)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 51, Isaiah 58: 1-12

Message:

What does it mean to fast? In the scriptures we hear of people not eating, or tearing their cloths and putting on sackcloth. We see this in the book of Jonah chapter 3 when Jonah tells the people of Ninevah that the city would be “overturned”… the entire city (that took 3 days to walk through) listened “They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth” (3:5). We see Jesus fasting for 40 days in Matthew 4. People fast when they are morning, hoping, repenting, and fearful.

Today the scripture gives us a deeper insight into what fasting is. It is not the act of wearing sackcloth or “bowing one’s head like a read” (Isaiah 58:5). Fasting is more than that. It starts in our heart with our desire to repent and with our desire to be closer to God. In Isaiah’s scripture God seems to be rather upset because His people think that doing the motions without feeling the feelings will be enough. He sees them hurting each other and taking advantage of the poor in the midst of their fast. He then goes on to describe what fasting is. Surprisingly, He does not list off putting on sackcloth and lying in the ashes as a fast that is pleasing to the Lord. Instead He prefers, ‘loosening the chains of injustice, setting the oppressed free, sharing food with the hungry, giving shelter to the poor, clothing to the naked, and staying true to your own flesh and blood’ (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. A season where people often choose to “fast” from one thing or another. As we journey through these 40 days we remember Jesus’ fast and his sacrifice to us. Throughout this season, and for the rest of the year how can we fast in a way that is pleasing to the Lord? What can we do to promote justice? How can we help those in need?

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, guide our steps so that we may fast in a way that is pleasing to You. Let our fasting and our praying begin in our hearts and with a deep longing to be closer to You. Thank you for showing us how to fast and for teaching us to pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Knowing You (More songs for Praise and Worship 30)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God