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Step 3: Seek God First During Your Fast

The Bible tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If we do that, God will give us everything else we need (Matthew 6:33). We should remember and obey this command all the time, but especially while we are fasting.

Here's the thing: 

If you forget to seek God first while you're fasting, what good does your fasting do? Without seeking God, your fasting becomes deprivation at best and starvation at worst. 

Fasting is only fun, fruitful, and even easy if you are so consumed with God that food loses its importance! So be sure to seek God first during your fast. Here's how:

1. Spend time alone with Him at the very beginning of every day.

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China, said: "Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.” That quote says it all. 

Spending time alone with God at the beginning of every day in prayer and Bible study.is a tangible way to put Him first. Even if you only spend 15 minutes with Him, that time will be well worth it. God will redeem your time!

I have made a habit to spend time alone with God first thing in the morning for many years now, and I have never suffered for it. Indeed, it seems like God does more with the rest of my time during the day than I ever could have done, even if I worked 24 hours a day! 

Also, when I seek Him first, the rest of my day just "flows." Things work, and there is order and calmness even in the midst of raising a toddler, being a wife, running a busy ministry, and everything else in my life. So, I can testify personally: God will make it worth your while if you will seek Him first each day.

2. Keep a journal, and write down two things each day: A) what God does; and B) what He says to you.

Every time I have fasted with a right heart — putting God first the way His Word says we should  — He has done wonderful things that have blessed me. For example:

• Sometimes He blesses me with a beautiful conversation with a cherished friend.
• Sometimes He sends a huge breakthrough or answer to prayer. 
• Sometimes He gives a new opportunity or opens a new door!

God will do the same for you. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." He is your REWARDER! He loves to answer your prayers, shower blessings on you, and surprise you with good gifts you didn't expect.

So as you walk through your fast, keep your eyes out for God's hand at work in your life. When you see Him move, write down what He does and says. Doing so creates a memorial of thanksgiving to Him!

3. Maintain a high level of expectation. 

Some Christians believe that you may not see results from your fast until after the fast is over. However, the Bible says otherwise.

It's certainly possible that SOME of the results of your fast may not become visible  until after the fast. In other words, you will continue to reap benefits from your fast and see results from it long after your fast is over.

However, Psalm 23 says that the Lord's goodness and mercy follow us ALL the days of our lives. In other words, every day  — and certainly every day while you are fasting — you can expect something good to happen.

In my experience, you get what you expect. As Jesus said over and over in the Gospels, "According to your faith be it unto you." If you don't expect results from your fast until after the fast is over, you'll get your results after the fast is over. But if you expect breakthrough every single day, that's what you'll get to the glory of God.

As you purposefully seek God first during your fast, the enemy may toss some darts at you. 

However,  you can defeat him easily as you learn to recognize those darts. We'll talk about how to recognize them tomorrow; but for now, just know that seeking God first during your fast is the best protection from the enemy's darts you could ever have.

See you tomorrow for Step 4!