When Do We Fast

Last Weeks GCC Memory Verse

Isaiah 58:10 If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. #GCCDunn.

GCC Memory Verse

Esther 4:14 b(ESV)

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

#GCCDunn.

As I was writing this sermon, a song came on my raido and it just blew me away.... and explains the need of fasting and prayer. This song is by Maveric Cirty Resled a song in 2023 called God Problems.

If you got a God-size problem He can solve 'em Yeah

There's just some problems only God can fix If there'll be some moments that just don't make sense I've seen it happen time and time again There's just some problems only God can fix oohh

There's just some battles (hey) flesh and blood can't win There'll be some moments that just don't make sense I can't see it now, but I'm still convinced There's just problems only God can fix

Not by power, not by might But by the Spirit of the living, Spirit of the living God Not my battle, not my fight But by the Spirit of the living, Spirit of the living God (ooooh) The spirit taking care of that problem He's taking care of that problem ooohh

When we are facing God size Problems, we need a God size faith, When our faith is not enough then we make a choice to fast and prayer to help us walk through.

Tony Evans say

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary B. The Return to Jerusalem (8:1–36)

The purpose for fasting was the same then as it is in our day. Fasting communicates to God that we are willing to go without a basic necessity for a period of time because we recognize our need for him is even greater. When we need to experience God more deeply or need his answer in a significant way, fasting is a tangible expression of our dependence on him. Though fasting certainly doesn’t twist God’s arm to respond as we want, it demonstrates to him (and to us) that we are serious about living according to his perspective.

Today we are talking about 3 reasons that we need to fast through out the year.

Facing A Move In Life (When You are Moving into something new)

Ezra was exiled in Babylon

was given permission to go back to their land

facing a journy back to the land that God gave them

Ezra 8:21–23 (ESV)

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

When Something Needs To Change ( when you know you can not change it by your self.)

History of Esther

Having To Hide their herritage and faith

Mordici taking care of Esther

Esther being picked to be a future queen with others

Hamon trying to kill the Jew and getting permission

Mordicai finding out about the plan to kill jews

Mordicai reaching out to Esther about talking to tthe king

Esthers respnce about not being alouwed to just show up

Scripture

Esther 4:1–17 (ESV)

12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Fighting A Battle (When You Need Help to fight through)

2 Chronicles 20:1–4 (ESV)

1 After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.