Values and Disciplines of the Kingdom – 4

Last week we looked at prayer as a discipline of the Kingdom.

 

This week we will look at fasting and thankfulness. 

 

Matt. 6:16-18 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

Jesus does the same thing he did with prayer. He assumes that we will fast. Jesus fasted while he was here.

 

The Bible describes three kinds of fasts.

 

Normal fast.

Doing a regular fast is when you refrain from eating any food while only drinking water. How long you fast can be anything from one day to forty days at a time. 

 

David fasted. Daniel Fasted. Israel as a nation fasted in times of trouble. Esther fasted with the whole nation. Samuel led Israel on a day of fasting and repentance.

 

Moses fasted twice for forty days while on the mountain with God – Duet 9:9-10. So, likewise, Jesus fasted forty days before He started his ministry.

 

Matt. 4:2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

 

Full fast.

This fast happens when you refrain from food and drink altogether. This is normal for up to three days and not any longer.

 

Paul fasted like this after his encounter on the way to Damascus.

 

Acts 9:8-9 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

 

Partial or Daniel fast.

You can refrain from particular food and drinks during a partial or Daniel fast. For example, Daniel refrained from eating meat and drinking wine while fasting. 

 

Dan. 10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.

Dan. 10:3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

 

Likewise, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to eat certain foods for ten days when they were tested.

 

Dan. 1:12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

 

Fasting is a discipline that deals with our flesh. Paul said that he disciplines his body into submission. We all know our struggles with our fleshly desires. Fasting is a way to deal with our carnal desires and submit them to God.

 

1Cor. 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

 

Thankfulness.

 

Growing up, we sang a song in Church. Count your blessings one by one. We were reminded to be thankful for even the little things in life through the song.

 

As a nation, we are so entitled. We live like the world owes us something. We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave this world with nothing. 

 

Thankfulness is the antidote to entitlement. When we celebrate the little things, it is hard to be entitled. Thankfulness is how we approach God in worship.

 

Psa. 100:4-5 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

 

The blessing of the Lord is what makes us rich. Nothing we have is because of us. Hard work can earn you stuff, but God gives us the strength to work and earn.

 

Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

 

What are you thankful for today? Are you healthy – thank Him. Are you satisfied and not going hungry – thank Him. Do you have all you need – Thank Him. 

 

God promises to take care of all our needs, not our wants. 

 

Matt. 6:31-34 “Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?’ or “What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

Fasting and praying are great disciplines. I challenge you to fast one day a week. Use that time to make a list of things that you are thankful for.