I Samuel 7:6
They gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline which is used on occasion. Today’s is an example of that. They were in a sinful state for a long period of time. They added fasting to their repentance. Fasting adds a level of seriousness. It wasn’t just a ceremony to go through. They were intentional and were putting their whole hearts into their repentance. Fasting helps focus that effort.
Many things can divert our attention. Fasting removes a potential distraction. In today’s passage they were fasting from their meals. They didn’t break for lunch and no one had to bother about preparing dinner. They were all focused on the business of getting right with God.
A fast is about removing a action in our lives temporarily. Some fast from tv or social media. Some do without dessert. Fasting is sacrificing something pleasing for a while. It may even be one meal. Some do without something for an extended period of time (i.e., lent).
This is not done to leverage God into being obligated to help. It’s to demonstrate our seriousness. We are showing the Lord the importance of a matter.
God honors a fast with results. We may have been frustrated about how a habit or sin had such a strong grip on us. Sometimes the Lord uses a fast to loosen that stronghold. In Matthew 17, Jesus expelled a demon from a boy. The disciples asked why they couldn’t do it. He answered them in verse 21, “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Lord, thank You for the fast and how You use it as a resource. Thank You for how You empower it and rescue us.