My family in Charleston, South Carolina
just went through Hurricane Matthew. They were very “prudent” and took great
precautions for their home and helping their neighbors secure their homes
before the storm. They wisely boarded up their windows, gathered supplies, fuel
and water. They even cleaned out a closet under their stairs and put a twin bed
in there for their children to sleep in. Then at the height of the storm…they
slept soundly…or at least some of them did. They got lots of rain and strong
winds—but no harm came to them or their property—except for one board in their
fence. What a storm! They got more rain in a few hours than we have in Eastern
Washington State in several years! God certainly watched out for them—they were
safe and secure.
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| South Carolina Beach - calm before the storm |
Does a “prudent” or sensible person see
spiritual danger before it arrives and cautiously prepare for it? What could
they do? Pray and ask others to pray. Fast—to go without food for a time? God’s
word tells to fast. There are examples of God directing His people to fast in
the Old Testament and Jesus’ advice in the book of Matthew.
That is why the LORD says, "Turn to me
now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and
mourning.” Joel 2:12 NLT
And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders
for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he
would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we
traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to
accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told
the king, "Our God's hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his
fierce anger rages against those who abandon him." So we fasted and
earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23 NLT
No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free
those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your
food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those
who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your
salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your
godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you
from behind. Isaiah 58:6-8 NLT
And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as
the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will
admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward
they will ever get. Matthew 6:16 NLT
What do these verses tell us about fasting?
That God wants us to turn our hearts towards Him. He will care for us if…yes
IF, we ask Him, trust Him and are obedient to Him. Fasting for spiritual
guidance is beyond giving up food. We are expected by God to turn our hearts—the
very home of our spirit—to Him. Giving up food is just a way of focusing on God…on
the good that He intends for our lives. Devoting our attention to Him in
prayer, seeking His guidance in our lives.
So as a prudent or sensible person
spiritually what would you do to prepare for a spiritual storm? Fast and pray?
And put on your spiritual armor.
Put on all of God's armor so that you will
be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not
fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and
against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of
God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then
after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on
the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on
the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In
addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows
of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every
occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers
everywhere. - Ephesians 6:11-18.
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus…Please surround me with Your love and grace, and give me the right
words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for
Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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