Fasting together: Just keep doing good. I know my title is not grammatically correct, so please don’t send me emails about that (smile). But it works for this post. Have you just finished your first week of fasting? Are you yet to get started? Fasting the 21 day Daniel Fast or just a meal or two here or there? However you decide to input a fast into your spiritual walk, do it unto the Lord. You can read our previous post here: Fasting in Preparation for a New Year, Rebuild and Restore, Daniel Fast Basics, Anoint your head, wash your face, When Fasting Turns Ugly, Is there POWER in fasting? Just keep doing good Daniel Fast Snacks
Evil is joining in agreement with someone else to slander another or cause harm to another. This breaks the heart of God. Evil is always sin but maybe sin is not necessarily always what we call evil. Evil is preconceived sin; planned sin, even conniving sin.
The Bible says we were “born into sin”, it is inherently in our nature. But through the cross we now have forgiveness of sins, an advocate in Jesus Christ the Righteous! We can go before Him when we sin (and we will) and receive His mercy.
Why didn’t God do away with our sinful nature when Jesus was nailed to the tree? Why, when we are buried with Him in baptism and our sins are washed away, do we continue to sin, even unwillingly or unknowingly? Jesus could have taken that sinful nature from us and made us perfect, obedient creatures, couldn’t He?
“God created things which had free will. If a thing is free to be good it’s also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity
We must serve Him and love Him with our FREE WILL. We love Him for what He has done for us and out of hearts of gratitude and thankfulness; not because we are forced to do so. That wouldn’t be love!
So we are in the world. An evil world. We cannot change it, for the most part, and must walk in it each and every day. So, what to do about it?
Prayer, coupled with fasting, strengthens us and gives us boldness and power in the Holy Ghost to withstand the evil that is in the world.
The prophet Nehemiah fasted when he heard that his beloved city of Jerusalem had been reduced to ruins by evil.
Nehemiah was heartbroken at the news he had received of his homeland.
He sat down.
He cried.
He mourned.
For days.
He fasted.
He prayed.
He asked for mercy when he went before the king. He also humbly asked for permission, for caution and wisdom. Then, with the kings permission, he headed to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls!
While rebuilding the walls of his beloved Jerusalem, he wouldn’t stop for anything, even when they were being attacked by evil! In Nehemiah 4:17, we see how Nehemiah continued doing good in the midst of a battle, “…The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.”
He just kept on doing good.
- Have the walls of your life been broken down?
- Does the enemy of your soul lie to you and torment you on every turn?
- Are you filled with anxiety, fear and dread every day?
Weep, mourn, fast, pray, ask for caution and wisdom. Then what?
Start rebuilding the walls!
Put your faith and confidence in the One who delivers, heals, restores and brings peace to a troubled mind. Let Him give you the strength to put one stone upon another and rebuild the walls in your life.
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21.
Evil will remain in the world until Satan is bound. But we do not have to let evil overcome us or become a part of us.
Jesus prayed for God to keep you from the Evil One. Today, through prayer and study of His Word, through relationship, Christ IN you, He has left you with the power to live an overcoming life!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
God answers prayers of sacrifice, desperation and commitment. What are you praying for today? Fast and pray and let God speak to you through His Word!
Daniel Fast Recipe for today!
Veggies in a Flat Wrap
2 WHOLE GRAIN flatbread wraps
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup shredded zucchini
¼ cup red onion, diced fine (optional)
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Sea salt and pepper to taste
4 Tablespoons hummus
Combine carrot, zucchini, onion, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and toss well to make a slaw. Spread your hummus over the tortilla wraps. Place a handful of slaw on top of the hummus. Grind some fresh pepper over top and add a few pumpkin seeds or other favorite seeds. Roll up the wraps and serve!
The Daniel Fast, A Devotional, is a great tool for ANY fast that you choose as a sacrifice to the Lord. 21 days of devotions and recipes too. Available in eBook or paperback!
