“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12, New International Version)
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:4, New International Version)
Theme: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving
Context:
We turn out attention today to the discipline of Fasting. Please be reminded that tomorrow will be dedicated to fasting. If your health allows you to, please consider participating and giving up at least one meal for the day.
Understandably, fasting is not often associated with rejoicing and thanksgiving. On the contrary, it is often associated with mourning, repentance, and intractable problems. There is nothing wrong with those associations, but we know that God calls us to fasting because he is the source for all we need, and His supply is cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Bible Passages:
In our first passage today, we see an example of God calling His people to an “all-in” relationship that includes fasting. In our second passage David declares that God is his joy and delight. Please study the passages and answer the question below.
Question:
Do you view fasting as an opportunity to draw closer to rejoicing and thanksgiving?
Please leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.