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GailFriends - “God’s Chosen Fast”
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GailFriends - “God’s Chosen Fast”
By Gail Golden
Publicist and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“ Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
Recently, I spent a day in fasting and prayer. It had been a long time since God chose for me to fast.
Prior to this fast, personal and family concerns had become a heavy burden and a source of deep sadness and confusion. Physical illness had taken its’ toll on my body and my spirit. My soul felt famished. I was in a spiritual fog, but my thoughts were drawn day after day to Isaiah 58:6, the scripture God always uses when He calls me to fast.
During this most recent fast, I spent the day at a prayer chapel near my home, taking only my Bible, a pen and paper, and one book. As the day began, I prayed for God to speak to me. I asked Him to open my eyes to His truth, reveal and break bands of sin, for the heavy burdens on my heart to be lifted, for freedom from oppression, and that every yoke would be broken. I poured out my heart to God in prayer, telling him my thoughts, concerns, and heavy burdens. I read Psalms, meditating on God’s love, provision and care.
After a while, I felt Father urging me to read the book I’d brought, Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee. I’d had the book for quite some time, but never read it. I’d bought it, assuming it would teach about how to exercise spiritual authority as a believer.
Surprise! Surprise! The book was not about my authority as a believer. It was about obedience to spiritual authority. God didn’t want to teach me how to exercise authority. He wanted me to learn to be submissive to authority. As I read it, I wept, deeply convicted by a principle I have often disobeyed. The scripture that stood out was Numbers 12, the story of Miriam’s rebellion against her brother Moses. Miriam grew discontented, spoke against Moses to her brother Aaron and then disrespected Moses himself. God took it seriously and chastised her for her sin.
Conviction increased as I read other passages about God’s discipline of those who spoke against His delegated authority. I remembered careless words spoken of bosses, pastors, my parents, my husband, my teachers, and many others in authority over me in years past. Thoroughly humbled, I repented in tears and asked God’s forgiveness for my rebellion. I also asked His direction as I made plans to make amends to those I had hurt by my lack of respect.
Just to make sure I didn’t forget the lesson I learned that day, God repeated it the following week through a radio program I listen to daily. I snapped to attention as I heard again the story of Miriam’s foolish words against Moses. Amazed, I realized my Father was reinforcing a very important truth and thanked Him for His tender love in reminding me of that lesson.
After the day of fasting, the fog lifted. My sadness and confusion left. I felt like a new woman! When God chooses my fast, my soul is the one that is hungry. I do not suffer, but I enjoy a sweet fellowship and closeness to my Father that fills me emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. I feel hunger, but don’t ever suffer intense hunger pains during His chosen fast. His Word is my food, and it satisfies fully.
Gail is a ministry partner with and Publicist for Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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