Recently, something dawned on me and I wanted to share it with you today. I don’t know how or why it happens this way, but if you are like me, life gets busy and at times hectic with stress challenges seemingly coming from multiple directions. My most common response is that this is just the norm and I should expect stress as a natural part of life, mentally referencing Genesis 3:19. However, there are times when my thoughts are clear, my spirit joyous and there is little that can discourage me. The times of greatest clarity in my life have been on the third day of three day fasts. It’s like I am clean, my brain is functioning and my reasoning capacities are heightened. Tracy and the kids even like me better!
As I finish my most recent fast, this scripture came to me from Psalm 51: “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me — now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” Those of you who know this context realize this is David repenting from his sin with Bathsheba. However, God had me look at it from a different perspective.
David, like many monarchs, had access to much more than the average citizen – and much more opportunity to be excessive. We forget, sometimes that we have access to more than most kings and queens of ancient history. Living in our modern fast paced society definitely has its advantages. However, there seems to me to be a tremendous disadvantage, and that is a lack of desire by most of us to walk instead of run. After all, the more we do and achieve, the more we are rewarded and praised – especially if we are sacrificial. However, what about Psalm 46:10? What about being still and just contemplating a sovereign God?
Now that I have reached retirement age I realize a massive flaw in my personality still exists. I have not learned how to relax and be still. I have heard “Be still and know that I am God” since I was a kid. Yet, I am still driven because conditional love is the norm and I must perform, provide, be a good dad and let my light shine under the microscope of the higher standards of our faith. Most of the times that I feel the joy of my salvation, and have a willingness to obey completely is when I fast and pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness. The sad part is that even though others may not see my flaws, they become less evident to me in the fast pace of life. It is only when I fast and things slowdown that I see the flaws so clearly. I have yet, in the past few years, fasted that I did not say I must do this much, much more. Days become weeks and often weeks become months before I am forced before Him this way.
I am convinced at this point, if you do not have that “being” aspect in your personality and you are more of a “doer” then fasting and prayer is a must if you really want to find the joy of salvation. Joy will allow you to face the stress of life, which will build character through perseverance. Most of all hope with expectation is the natural outgrowth. Fasting is soooo cool.
Love Dad