Matthew 6:16-18
We talk about fasting pretty regularly here, I believe in fasting, I think it is an important part of our worship, I believe it’s pleasing to God and I believe that it creates joy, intimacy and dependence upon God. With all of that said, I want to talk about fasting in a bit of a different manner today than we have in the past. Jesus said “when you fast”. This means that fasting is not an option or a suggestion, but I also don’t believe that Jesus is making fasting a requirement; I believe that fasting is an opportunity. Fasting is one of the great gifts that God has provided for us through which we gain far more than we could ever offer and we receive far more than we could ever give. The act of fasting, choosing not to eat, becomes filling, becomes satisfying and becomes joyful because the One we give our attention to is far greater than that which we are withholding ourselves from. This morning I want to simply and briefly talk about the joy of fasting.