“Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted that day, and said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Series: Fasting: A Posture of Surrender Focused on God

Devotional: 5 of 7

We all have patterns or rhythms that have become commonplace in our lives. Things that we do without even thinking about it. Patterns of sleeping, eating, work, and rest. When we practice the spiritual discipline of fasting, we create space in the presence of God to reflect upon these patterns in our lives. During this time of reflection, God has a way of shining His light in a fresh new way, allowing for a greater sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit stirs up in our hearts a willingness to hear what our ears have previously been deaf to, breaking open the door of reconciliation and healing.

"More than any other Discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface." (Richard Foster) As these things bubble up to the surface, the Holy Spirit reveals the deeper areas of the soul that are broken and in need of confession and transformation.

Scripture shows us a multitude of examples where God's people are called to return to Him - confessing their sins during a time of prayer and fasting. The seventh chapter of 1 Samuel provides us with one example: "Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you." So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted that day, and said, "We have sinned against the Lord." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah." (1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NRSV‬‬)

Looking closer at these verses, we see that God's people fasted and prayed, opening their souls to a deeper understanding of their need for repentance and restoration. They confessed their sin, returned to the Lord, and put away their idols - choosing again to serve the Lord only.

Today, consider entering into a time of prayer and fasting, posturing yourself in the presence of God. Surrender your body and mind to Him. Ask Him to reveal to you if there is any unconfessed sin in your life that you need to repent from. Repentance reminds us of our need to decrease as Jesus increases in our lives.

OnThe3rdDay Devotionals

Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.

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