Fasting / Isaiah 58
In today's sermon, we were asked an interesting question: What are the staples in your house that you cannot live without? For the Grant household, it's eggs, milk, and, of course, hot sauce. But more importantly, these staples are things that are essential to daily living—things you rely on every single day. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, there are staples that help us draw near to God, like prayer, Bible reading, and fasting.
Today, we focused on fasting as a spiritual discipline, and while it might not be something we practice every day, it is nonetheless a vital part of our relationship with God. It’s like hot sauce—a spiritual practice that may not be daily, but when you need it, it’s essential.
Fasting: More Than a Diet Plan
Fasting, in its purest form, is the voluntary denial of something normal—usually food—for the sake of focusing on something spiritual. In our society, food is an essential part of life. We live in a culture obsessed with eating, with food constantly on our minds and in front of us, whether it’s through fast food chains or food delivery services. But fasting isn’t about depriving ourselves simply to lose weight or to give up something for the sake of discipline. It’s about relying on God more than the comforts of this world.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus says, “When you fast,” not “if” you fast, indicating that fasting is an integral part of the Christian life. It’s not a suggestion—it’s something that Jesus expects us to practice. Yet, for many of us, the idea of fasting is uncomfortable. After all, we live in a world where food and comfort are abundant, and fasting doesn’t fit easily into our daily routines.
The Purpose of Fasting
God isn’t interested in our fasting to impress others or to boast in our discipline. In Isaiah 58, God addresses the people of Israel for fasting with the wrong heart. They were fasting, but they were doing it to gain favor or to impress God, all while continuing to oppress others. God’s message was clear: Fasting isn’t about what you’re doing outwardly but about your heart. Fasting should be a time to humble ourselves, to acknowledge our dependence on God, and to allow Him to reveal what is weighing us down.
Just like when we fast from food, God calls us to fast from distractions and from things that take our focus away from Him. Whether it’s food, money, entertainment, or even our careers, fasting helps us refocus our lives on the Creator, not the created things.
The Heart of Fasting
Fasting doesn’t manipulate God or force Him to do what we want. Instead, it’s an opportunity for God to do what He wants in our lives. It’s about relying on Him, allowing Him to reveal to us what is hindering our spiritual growth. In Isaiah 58, God promises that when we fast with the right heart, He will break the chains of wickedness, untie the ropes of oppression, and set us free.
Fasting reveals the things that weigh us down—our pride, bitterness, anger, or fear. When we fast, we allow God to expose these areas in our hearts, and we surrender them to Him. It’s not about doing more religious acts to get something from God but about submitting ourselves to His will and allowing Him to refine us.
Fasting: A Step Toward Freedom
Fasting doesn’t earn us points with God, but it gives us space to experience God in deeper ways. As Jesus showed us in John 4 when He told His disciples that His food was doing the will of the Father, fasting is a reminder that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God.
The beauty of fasting lies in its ability to draw us nearer to God. As we deny ourselves something normal, we create room for something spiritual. It’s in those moments of hunger or discomfort that we learn to rely on God’s provision and experience the freedom He promises.
Fasting as a Church Community
At the end of the sermon, a call was made for a churchwide fast—an invitation for everyone to participate in fasting tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The purpose is to create space for God to reveal what He wants to do in our lives, to remove the weight of sin, and to allow us to rely more fully on Him. This fast isn’t about impressing others or fulfilling a checklist, but about creating an opportunity to experience God’s presence in a real and tangible way.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline, one that allows us to focus on what truly matters and to draw closer to God. It’s not about the act of fasting itself, but about the heart behind it and the space it creates for God to work in our lives. If you’re ready to experience freedom, transformation, and deeper reliance on God, consider joining in this fast.
Conclusion: A Staple for Your Faith Journey
Just as we keep eggs and milk stocked in our homes as staples of physical nourishment, fasting is a staple in the Christian life—one that feeds our souls and strengthens our dependence on God. It’s not easy, but the results are transformative. As we step into a time of fasting, let’s ask God to help us deny what weighs us down and rely on Him more fully. Let this be a season of spiritual renewal as we make space for God to do what He wants in our lives.
Let fasting be a reminder that true nourishment comes from God alone, and that He is the one who will supply all of our needs according to His riches and glory.
