Is God Speaking To You?

We are just about two-thirds of the way through our 21 days of fasting here at Heartland Church.  I hope that you have been blessed and, even more, that you have been challenged during this time.

In the last week in particular, the subject of fasting has come up a number of times.  What I mean by that is not people talking about what they are fasting, or complaining about how hungry they are, or (as we get closer to the end) talking about the first things they are going to eat when its over.  What I am talking about is observations that people have made about fasting in the Bible.

This morning Pastor Dan was talking about the "wilderness experience" of Jesus and the temptation.  The Word tells us that after His baptism, "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Matthew 4:1-3.  PD was making the point about how disturbing it is that Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil!


(If you are not familiar with this account in the life of Jesus, this might be a good time to check it out.  And, don't worry -- the good guy wins!)  

But there are two things that strike me about this story as it relates to fasting.  The first is that fasting is often a time of preparation.  Sometimes when we go through this process of denying for ourselves some things of the flesh and trying to connect with God through prayer and the study of His Word, God prepares us for the battles that lie ahead.  And, there are always battles that lie ahead!

The second thing is that fasting is often accompanied by a time of testing.  At the very least, we are tested in our resolve to stick with the plan no matter how uncomfortable we become or how difficult the experience.  We are also tested against what the Bible teaches us about fasting.  In other words, are we able to deal with people (and life) during this time with a glad heart, or do we let our discomfort impact the way that we treat (love) our neighbors?  Are we anxious to let everyone know how well we are doing with our fast, or do we let the glory for the effort be God's alone?   

And, for some of us the testing is more intense.  Who knows -- some of you may find your faith is itself being put to the test during this time.  Do you find that you are being tested?

Wednesday night we were talking about Nehemiah.  After he had become aware that the remnant of Israel were in Jerusalem and were in trouble and that the wall of the City had been broken down,  Nehemiah "sat down and wept. For some days [he] mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."  It was after this time of prayer and fasting that Nehemiah became convicted about what he was supposed to do -- to rebuild the City wall.

As with Nehemiah, sometimes our time of fasting and prayer results in revelation.  There is just something about taking a deep breath, taking that time out of busy lives, putting aside the worries of the world and just focusing on Him.  I don't think its so much that God isn't trying to speak to us when we are caught up in the worry and hustle of our daily lives.  I just think that sometimes we just don't listen.  So, my question is:  what has God revealed to you during this time of prayer and fasting?

God bless each of you today.  May the peace of the Lord be with you!