Fasting 101

2CH 20:3 JEHOSHAPHAT WAS TERRIFIED BY THIS NEWS AND BEGGED THE LORD FOR GUIDANCE. HE ALSO ORDERED EVERYONE IN JUDAH TO BEGIN FASTING.

INTRODUCTION

A brand new year, a fresh start, A time of making promises and breaking promises.

You know, I will exercise daily 4 hours a day, I am going on a diet, I am going to eat healthy, I am going to quit do this or that.

I am going to read my Bible more, I am going to pray more, I am going to attend Church regularly, I am going to tithes faithfully this year.

Well we all have good intentions but many times we fail to follow through.

But many of us committed to the Daniel Fast and I believe and trust that this is something that we will stick to and will change the face of our lives and of our church.

There are many misconceptions, misunderstanding and misgivings concerning its benefits or relevance for the disciple today.

There are extremists on both sides of the issue, which has led to much ignorance and silence on the subject. But I want to assure you, today, that it is a matter worth our investigation and incorporation into our lives.

MATT 17:21 HOWBEIT THIS KIND GOETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING.

True fasting is more than merely abstaining from food.

It’s more than appearing to be humble before God. It’s more than yearning for answers to prayer about some great personal need or a need in the life of another.

It’s more than a time of seeking blessings from God.

True fasting causes one to be moved to action on behalf of others as the result of a deep-seated love for God.

Fasting and prayer does not change God. It changes us.

It is not twisting God’s arm to get Him to do our bidding but rather positioning ourselves to receive the grace He freely gives and to do His bidding.

Fasting and prayer combined removes the hindrances to our peace.

It ensures the sincerity of our humility, and repentance. It effectively appeals for God’s protection from harm and victory over the enemy of our souls so that we overcome feelings of weakness and vulnerability.

It helps us humble ourselves and lift up others who are oppressed so that we vanquish tensions from our relationships.

Fasting and prayer combined also aids us in progressing in our walk with God. It helps us draw closer to Him in consistency of devotion and worship.

It brings an increase in spiritual blessing and understanding. It empowers us for ministry and enables us to effectively impart spiritual gifts and empowerment to others for fruitful ministry in their lives.

Fasting is a key to a revitalized prayer life and an empowered ministry.

So tonight as we look into our text. Jehoshaphat was in a crisis situation.

2CH 20:12 O OUR GOD, WON'T YOU STOP THEM? WE ARE POWERLESS AGAINST THIS MIGHTY ARMY THAT IS ABOUT TO ATTACK US. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR HELP."

Jehoshaphat had called the people to fast and He was leading the prayer. He had a mighty army coming against them and he said I do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.

What will you do during the crisis?

Some cover up, some give up, some deny they have a problem, some panic.

It is not the crisis that destroys you . It is what we do or don’t do during the crisis.

This is the time to pray and fast. We need to wake up and realize that we have a mighty army coming against us. And within ourselves we are not match for that army.

We need to understand that we too, need to look to God for our help.

PSA 60:11 OH, PLEASE HELP US AGAINST OUR ENEMIES, FOR ALL HUMAN HELP IS USELESS.

PSA 60:12 WITH GOD'S HELP WE WILL DO MIGHTY THINGS, FOR HE WILL TRAMPLE DOWN OUR FOES.

You see, as you fast and pray, it will get you into the position to hear and receive from God. Let’s look at one of the greatest prayers in the Bible.

2CH 20:6 HE PRAYED, "O LORD, GOD OF OUR ANCESTORS, YOU ALONE ARE THE GOD WHO IS IN HEAVEN. YOU ARE RULER OF ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH. YOU ARE POWERFUL AND MIGHTY; NO ONE CAN STAND AGAINST YOU!

2CH 20:7 O OUR GOD, DID YOU NOT DRIVE OUT THOSE WHO LIVED IN THIS LAND WHEN YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL ARRIVED? AND DID YOU NOT GIVE THIS LAND FOREVER TO THE DESCENDANTS OF YOUR FRIEND ABRAHAM?

2CH 20:8 YOUR PEOPLE SETTLED HERE AND BUILT THIS TEMPLE TO HONOR YOUR NAME.

2CH 20:9 THEY SAID, 'WHENEVER WE ARE FACED WITH ANY CALAMITY SUCH AS WAR, PLAGUE, OR FAMINE, WE CAN COME TO STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE BEFORE THIS TEMPLE WHERE YOUR NAME IS HONORED. WE CAN CRY OUT TO YOU TO SAVE US, AND YOU WILL HEAR US AND RESCUE US.'

2CH 20:10 "AND NOW SEE WHAT THE ARMIES OF AMMON, MOAB, AND MOUNT SEIR ARE DOING. YOU WOULD NOT LET OUR ANCESTORS INVADE THOSE NATIONS WHEN ISRAEL LEFT EGYPT, SO THEY WENT AROUND THEM AND DID NOT DESTROY THEM.

2CH 20:11 NOW SEE HOW THEY REWARD US! FOR THEY HAVE COME TO THROW US OUT OF YOUR LAND, WHICH YOU GAVE US AS AN INHERITANCE.

2CH 20:12 O OUR GOD, WON'T YOU STOP THEM? WE ARE POWERLESS AGAINST THIS MIGHTY ARMY THAT IS ABOUT TO ATTACK US. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR HELP."

Two things we need to look at tonight.

1. Faith

A. FAITH IN GOD

Trust in God, That God has called you into this fast and praying time and that He will answer and He will provide.

MATT 6:31 "SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THESE THINGS, SAYING, 'WHAT WILL WE EAT? WHAT WILL WE DRINK? WHAT WILL WE WEAR?'

MATT 6:32 THESE THINGS DOMINATE THE THOUGHTS OF UNBELIEVERS, BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER ALREADY KNOWS ALL YOUR NEEDS.

MATT 6:33 SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE, AND LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED.

Many will think I can’t fast and why should I try. You have got to trust God because your enemy doesn’t want you to get in the place of blessing, He want you to stay down and out. So he will convince you to not trust God.

B. FAITH IN GOD’S CHARACTER

2CH 20:6 HE PRAYED, "O LORD, GOD OF OUR ANCESTORS, YOU ALONE ARE THE GOD WHO IS IN HEAVEN. YOU ARE RULER OF ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH. YOU ARE POWERFUL AND MIGHTY; NO ONE CAN STAND AGAINST YOU!

Jehoshaphat was in the midst of this fast and his prayer became one that illuminated the character of God. Because he was in that close relationship with Him.

Not only was he crying to God and reminding Him, in you alone do I trust but he was reminding himself how great God is.

PSA 91:1 THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL FIND REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.

PSA 91:2 THIS I DECLARE ABOUT THE LORD: HE ALONE IS MY REFUGE, MY PLACE OF SAFETY; HE IS MY GOD, AND I TRUST HIM.

PSA 91:3 FOR HE WILL RESCUE YOU FROM EVERY TRAP AND PROTECT YOU FROM DEADLY DISEASE.

PSA 91:4 HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS. HE WILL SHELTER YOU WITH HIS WINGS. HIS FAITHFUL PROMISES ARE YOUR ARMOR AND PROTECTION.

Let’s break down these few verses showing the character of God.

1. “The Most High” in Hebrew the word “El-yon” it means Possession

The implication here is that God is the owner of everything!

36 times in scripture God calls Himself by this name. -In heaven and on earth our God owns it all, for He created it all.

2. “The Almighty” in Hebrew the word “Shaddai” it means Provision.

The picture here is that God is the provider of all. - God is the one that supplies all our needs.

3. “The Lord” in Hebrew the word “Jehovah” it means Promise.

This was the greatest Hebrew name for God. –The eternal one! The unchanging one! - The great “I AM” who has promised to care for His people.

4. “My God” in Hebrew the word “Elohim” it means Power.

The word appears some 2700 times in scripture - It is often associate with creation and the though is of power.

Now, consider the picture the Psalmist just painted!

El-yon, Shaddai, Jehovah & Elohim is the God of... Possession...Provision...Promise and Power!

So our God is...

–A shelter of Strength! -A refuge of Rest! - A fortress Peace! - Were you can rest...peace and hope from the fears of life!

But there is something required of you! Notice verses 1 and 2.

PSA 91:1 THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL FIND REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.

PSA 91:2 THIS I DECLARE ABOUT THE LORD: HE ALONE IS MY REFUGE, MY PLACE OF SAFETY; HE IS MY GOD, AND I TRUST HIM.

We can’t do God’s will if we don’t know Him. We can’t have an intimate relationship with one we don’t love; we can’t love one we don’t know.

If we are not praying and fasting, we cannot get in the position to know Him.

Fasting will bring you into the presence of God, for you to get to know His character.

C. FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISE

2CH 20:7 O OUR GOD, DID YOU NOT DRIVE OUT THOSE WHO LIVED IN THIS LAND WHEN YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL ARRIVED? AND DID YOU NOT GIVE THIS LAND FOREVER TO THE DESCENDANTS OF YOUR FRIEND ABRAHAM?

Simplicity that was Jehoshaphat’s prayer, he started asking simply question to God. Why because of the personal relationship that he had with God.

One request v.12 stop them

2CH 20:12 O OUR GOD, WON'T YOU STOP THEM? WE ARE POWERLESS AGAINST THIS MIGHTY ARMY THAT IS ABOUT TO ATTACK US. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR HELP."

One complaint v.11 how they repaid us

2CH 20:11 NOW SEE HOW THEY REWARD US! FOR THEY HAVE COME TO THROW US OUT OF YOUR LAND, WHICH YOU GAVE US AS AN INHERITANCE.

One confession v.12 don’t know what to do

2CH 20:12 O OUR GOD, WON'T YOU STOP THEM? WE ARE POWERLESS AGAINST THIS MIGHTY ARMY THAT IS ABOUT TO ATTACK US. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO YOU FOR HELP."

Prayer should be simple-God looks at the heart not the words and God’s reply to the prayer and fasting. Your fast sure be simple. (talk about it)

God give Jehoshaphat and his people Specific instructions V.15-17

1 Tomorrow you will march down to meet your enemies

2 Take your position, but you don’t have to fight V.17

3 Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

If the battle is yours you are in trouble, If the battle belongs to the Lord you don’t have to fight – you take position.

2CH 20:18 THEN KING JEHOSHAPHAT BOWED LOW WITH HIS FACE TO THE GROUND. AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM DID THE SAME, WORSHIPING THE LORD.

The choir leads the way – it is nonsense but it makes perfect sense to God because He knows what He is doing.

But they sang praises to God V.21

2CH 20:21 AFTER CONSULTING THE PEOPLE, THE KING APPOINTED SINGERS TO WALK AHEAD OF THE ARMY, SINGING TO THE LORD AND PRAISING HIM FOR HIS HOLY SPLENDOR. THIS IS WHAT THEY SANG: "GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD; HIS FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!"

Give thanks to the lord for His love endures forever.

Jehoshaphat said “we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you’’

That is where God wants us to be.

Fasting and praying will cultivate a worshipful heart. Worship is our response to God’s presence. Worship is our response as we return to Him in our helplessness

They worshipped before the battle during the battle and after the battle.

Worship is a way of life.

But fasting should not be viewed as an end in itself. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer points out, fasting has “only one purpose—to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.”

Along the same vein, A.W. Tozer writes that many people have been deluded into believing that the answer to all their spiritual problems is to increase prayer, “when actually in a score of ways they were falling short in the vital matter of obedience.”

Fasting is necessary; it draws us closer to God. Fasting can also draw others closer to Him.

Our challenge is to become involved in true fasting. When we engage in true fasting, we can rightly expect blessings from God and we become blessings to others.

So in closing, let me challenge you to fast and prayer, but in the midst of these 21 days of fasting, the key element is to be obedience to God’s voice as He speak to you.

Jehoshaphat and his people was led into battle and won. And the key ingredient was when he called them to fast and prayer. It wasn’t their army, their abilities, the earthy resources but it was their obedience to trust in God.