21 days - Fasting & PrayerEsimerkki

Fasting as an act of humility

Read Proverbs 3:34 and James 4:10.

The Bible repeatedly says how important a humble heart is to God. We are to humble ourselves before God, but often we don't always know exactly how to do that. If you study passages in the Bible about fasting, you will find that fasting is often mentioned in connection with "humbling oneself before God".

Read Ezra 8:21 and Psalm 35:13-14.

In these passages, you see the connection between fasting and humility. Ezra proclaims a fast to humble himself before God. David tells us that he humbled himself (bowed his soul) and fasted for his sick friends.

However, the extent to which humility touches God's heart can be seen in the story of Ahab, the worst king Israel had ever seen. His life was full of idolatry and under his rule, almost all the prophets of Israel were killed. Nevertheless, when Ahab humbles himself before God and fasts at the end of his life, God gives him grace.

Read 1 Kings 21:27-29.

For us, it is not about persuading God to forgive our sins through fasting and humility. Through Jesus, we have already received complete grace for all our sins (even the worst of them). But it is stunning to see how much humility - even in a wicked king - touches the heart of God, so much so that God even mentions it to his prophet Elijah. 

How much more can you be sure that your fasting, your prayer, and the surrender of your heart to God, will touch the heart of God. 

Prayer

Dear Father, your Word says that we should humble ourselves before you. Please give me a humble heart and teach me what it means to be humble before you and before others. Amen