Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:81-83

Lord, I long for you to save me completely from the presence of sin in my life,
and Your word is my only hope for victory.
I wait for You with faith, to send me Your mercy,
and the life-giving revelation of Your presence – through Your Word.
Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness to the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 9:14-17 

For the second time this year, we find Jesus teaching about fasting. In Matthew 6:16-18, He spoke about the importance of fasting secretly and “unto the Lord” (you can refresh your memory of that post by clicking here).

Here in Matthew 9, in answer to a challenge from the religious leaders, Jesus yet again highlights the fact that true fasting is very much focused on increasing our awareness of His presence.

¹⁵ Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

When He was physically present with them, they had no need of fasting. They were like guests at a wedding feast, feasting on the delights of the “bridegroom’s presence”. But now that He is no longer with us physically, fasting holds great value. Through fasting, we become more alert to the spiritual presence of Christ, and we find ourselves “feasting” on the spiritual delights of His love, joy, peace, and power – all of which fasting mediates in our lives.

Now, you may not be in a position to commit to a full fast for good medical reasons, or because of life’s circumstances. But perhaps you could consider a partial fast that will create some form of hunger or desire, which you can then leverage to be able to pray in moments of hunger or desire, “Lord, I long for You more than I long for X right now. Draw close to me and allow me to feast on the delights of Your presence”.

As New Covenant people in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells, our fasting is no longer begrudgingly done within the “old wineskin” mentality of legalistic religion. It is now joyfully and eagerly done in the “new wineskin” of Spirit-filled living and relationship with Christ. In our fasting, we feast on the reality of God’s presence within us by His Spirit! What a joy!

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ: 

• Fasting is not a legalistic requirement, it is a joyful opportunity.
• I will find a way to fast that is helpful and doable for me.
• I will leverage my physical hunger or desire to express my spiritual longing for the Lord’s presence and power!

Holy Spirit, please fill me with the presence, life and power of the Risen Lord today . Amen.