Fasting Day 15: Fasting Is Waiting (Fasting Is, Part Two)
Fasting is waiting — waiting on God.
When King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for all Judah, he prayed “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chron. 20:12).
In a similar way, fasting is saying, “I wait on you, Lord. My only hope is in you.”
Hope and Expectation in God Alone
Fasting expresses confidence in nothing around us except God Himself. When we fast, we shift our focus from the temporal, visible securities to the spiritual. We stop clinging to and depending on earthly things. When we fast, we are expressing the fact that we are waiting for and putting our full weight upon God.
Fasting is continual prayer, waiting on God and lingering in His presence.
David understood how vital it is to wait on God and refuse to rely on any other source — expecting everything from God alone. His hope and expectation were placed squarely on God…and Him alone. This is evident from the words of David in Psalm 62:
1For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.
2He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved.
5My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.
6He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. 7With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! (Psalm 62:1-2, 5-7, AMP).
Can you echo David’s words today? Are your hope and expectation in God alone?
The Reward of Waiting
By waiting on God through fasting and prayer, you will receive:
1. Renewed Strength: Isaiah 40:30-31
2. Realized Promise: Psalm 37:9
3. A Ready Ear: Psalm 40:1
4. Resounding Acts: Isaiah 64:4(See The Reward of Waiting for more on these four points.)
God promises to bless those who wait for him.
- “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion … Blessed are all those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)
- “Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). (Tweet this)
- “The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]” (Lamentations 3:25, AMP). (Tweet this)
When you wait on God through fasting and prayer, you will not be put to shame! God “acts on behalf of those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). So wait expectantly!
“Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord” (Psalm 27:14, emphasis added). (Tweet this)
–Tweetables
- “My soul, wait only upon God & silently submit to Him; for my hope & expectation are from Him.” ~ Ps. 62:5 > Tweet
- “Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame.” ~ Psalm 25:3 > Tweet
- “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” ~ Lam. 3:25 > Tweet
- “Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage…” ~ Psalm 27:14 > Tweet
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Worship: “Waiting Here for You”
Waiting Here for You feat. Christy Nockels
Written by Chris Tomolin, Jesse Reeves, Martin Smith
From the Album: Here For You
Listen on Apple Music | Buy on iTunes
Listen on Prime Music | Buy on Amazon
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:12; Psalm 25:3; 37:9; 40:1; 62; Isaiah 30:18; 40:30-31; 64:4
Prayer Focus: Are you looking to God alone for the answer to your need? Or is there a part of you that is still looking to a visible security—your boss, your spouse, your children, your job, your friends or your next move—to supply your need? Put all your hope and expectation in God alone. He has met your every need in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:19).
FROM THE FASTING ARCHIVES:
- Fasting Day 15: The Good News!
- Fasting Day 15: Lives of Influence (John the Baptist Fast)
- Fasting Day 15: For the Nation
- Waiting Expectantly: Praying in Hope When Times Seem Hopeless
OTHER POSTS IN THIS SERIES:
- Fasting Day 14: Fasting is Saying, “Give Me Jesus” (Fasting Is, Part 1)
- Fasting Day 16: Fasting Is… (Fasting Is, Part 3)
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