Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February 29 – Worth It!



Those who have consecrated themselves to prayer and worship . . . and fasting . . . are privileged to consider the privilege of a fasted lifestyle. Let us look at just two verses and see the promises of God to those who fast “the Lord’s fast.”

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

Not a bad trade off for butter and cheese, is it?

What we must do, of course, is accept the terms of the fast. It isn't the butter and cheese, it's the HUMBLING of our hunger. The Lord clearly states that the fasting that touches His heart is not the bowing down of one’s head for a day and sitting in an ash heap, while the issues of the heart continue in selfishness, quarrelsomeness, and control over others. That kind of abstinence, as He tells us so plainly, will not cause our voices to be heard on high.

That powerful word gives us hope, nevertheless. It gives us the assurance that there is a fast that will cause our voices to be heard, and as we investigate, we see that there is fasting that touches the very soul of God.

The Lord’s fast DOES THE WORK OF THE LORD more than just adjusting our food intake. To fast food, to fast meals, is powerful when we remember the Lord’s compassions and purposes, and that is what we are about during these special days of preparation. We have entered a season of holy and sober celebration, and our love will prove our preparation, here in Cor Unum Abbey.


"Humbling Hunger"
Abbatial Photo

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