Many have asked me in regard to Day and Night, “Do I really need to fast?” I kept saying “no”, certain that God would call each of us to grow in different ways. But after a couple of weeks-and I am certainly no expert- I have personally changed that answer. In short, there are three things that are necessary for a relationship with God: scripture, prayer, and fasting. Scripture is our sword of knowledge and truth about God, prayer draws us near to God through supplication and praise, and fasting empowers us in our humility to accomplish His will. Now, there is definitely much more to all three of these things, but scripture reveals to us that the combination of prayer and fasting leaves no room for Satan to win. In Luke Chapter 14 something happens between verses 1 and 14. In the NIV it begins with “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…” Forty days later in verse 14: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” Notice the difference? Neither did I until God began revealing to me the power and necessity of fasting.
If there are any three things I would consider to be unholy they would be flesh, world, and Satan himself. Fasting is a denial of all of these things. Through fasting, our we deny our fleshly cravings. Through fasting we deny the world and depend wholly on Jesus. Through fasting, we receive power from on high to resist Satan’s temptation as Jesus did. So often I found my mind cluttered with thoughts of fleshly desires, worldly ambition, and Satan’s attacks of pride and doubt, and no amount of prayer or scripture can be but a temporary deterrent. As a college student, a life of continual prayer and closeness with God seems nearly impossible. That was until God revealed fasting and released His power in me.
Fasting is a lot more than just not eating. It is a lot more than just an act of humility, is it Jesus’ expectation.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
It does not say, “if you fast…”
So yes: LET US TAKE BACK CORNELL FOR JESUS! but let us not forget that Satan isn’t going to just give up without a fight. THIS IS WAR and GOD HAS GIVEN US THE WEAPONS. OUR GOD IS GREATER AND STRONGER, AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US THEN NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST!
