21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Ezra 8:21-23 ESV
There are seasons that call for fasting, not as a transaction, but as a statement. Fasting says that we recognize our need for God outweighs the comforts of food or other physical items. It’s when we acknowledge that God’s presence is where answers are found and vision is renewed. Fasting doesn’t force God to respond, it’s a physical demonstration of pushing down our fleshly desires for spiritual breakthroughs. It shifts our attention from temporal to eternal.
As we transition out of our fasts, what becomes even more apparent is where our focus shifts. We get to choose what occupies our time and what pursuits we engage in. For most people, it’s time to eat and drink everything that was abstained from. It’s a time to cast off restraints. When we shift right back to life as usual, we may miss the very answers we prayed for. This is not the season to go back to doing what we were doing before. It’s the perfect opportunity to raise our awareness and ask ourselves, where we’re focusing our attention while we wait on the promise. Where do you focus while awaiting the promise? Are you worrying or worshiping? Are you planning or praising? Let’s assume a better posture while we wait. Not one of fear or wavering, but one of complete trust and faith.
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