The Fast that Moves Your Heart Toward God
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (Joel 2:12 KJV) Do you want to turn to God a little bit or a lot? Since fasting is one way our heart turns toward God, doesn’t it make sense that the amount of sacrifice a fast entails is the amount it will turn your heart toward God? Cheesy fasts don’t bring you that much closer to God. If you value that Wendy’s cheeseburger more than God it shows how much you are willing to turn to God. The amount you are willing to give shows how much you value God. Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” (KJV) By sacrificing a treasure (food) we move our heart closer to God. So the amount of the treasure determines the amount our heart is moved toward God. It is interesting to note that the context of this verse is fasting. (Matt 6:16-18).
David recognized the spiritual value in sacrifice. In 1Chronicles 21 Gad the prophet tells David to set up an altar on Ornan’s threshing floor during a time of national crisis. Ornan offered to donate the land and oxen to David. David insisted on paying full price, saying, “I can’t just take something from you and then offer the LORD a sacrifice that cost me nothing.” (1Ch 21:24 CEV) Does your fast cost you anything? Or is it easy? Give God a fast that means a lot to you. Don’t give God cheep fasts. I’ve stopped praying for my fasts to be easy. Instead now I pray for God to give me strength to persevere, despite the sacrifice.
The story of Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac is symbolic of giving our best. Isaac was Abraham’s most prized possession. Abraham had longed for a son for many years before Isaac came. Yet Abraham was willing to give his absolute best to the Lord. I ask you, “What is the absolute best fast you are physically able to give God?” Are you just trying to meet the minimum requirements of corporate fasting or are you giving God your Isaac? Do you make exceptions to your fast and rationalize eating things or do you freely offer your best? I believe what will really turn all of our heart toward God is fasting our best.
Turn to God with all your heart by fasting your best. Answer the call of Joel 2:12 and set your heart to seek God by offering Him your greatest treasure.
