Breakthrough Fast - Day 21
January 30, 2012
BREAKTHROUGH – Deep and Wide
Day 21 - Breakthrough Fast 01/30/12
[If you began your fast on the morning of the 10th, then the last day of your fast is today.
If you began your fast at sunset on the 10th, then your fast ends tomorrow.]
“’Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 58:6-14
The last day of an extended fast is always one of my favorites.
- I get to reflect back on all the Scripture promises God gave me.
- I get to count my blessings of what God did during that time.
- I get to journal the new steps of obedience He is calling for in me.
What I have come to realize is that during an extended fast God moves in two significant directions ... deep and wide.
Deep because He goes deeper in me than at any other season, digging, excavating, bringing sin and strongholds to the surface so that I can repent of them.
Wide because He sharpens my vision and shows me with great clarity the ministry He has called me to.
Deep because He fills the cracks of my soul with His love, mercy and grace.
Wide because He calls me to share that grace with others.
Deep because He shows me the riches of His inheritance in the saints.
Wide because He shows me where He wants me to invest that rich inheritance in others.
Just think about the deep and wide of Isaiah 58.
Deep “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear.” Isaiah 58:8a
Wide “Then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10b
Deep “Then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8b
Wide “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins.” Isaiah 58:12a
Deep “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:9
Wide “You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58:12c
Take time today to reflect on how God has worked in you both deep and wide.
[Take a tip from the wise ... Any fool can fast, but it takes a wise man to break a fast. As you begin eating, by all means, avoid fatty foods, or anything difficult to digest. Begin with fruit and vegetables.]
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