Fasting = Feasting

I find our relationship with food very interesting. Eating food can be a pleasurable experience and sharing food with each other can create a special bond. Even when people don't remember the details of the conversations they had after visiting friends, they still remember how delicious the foods were for a long time. We have a family dog that has a huge appetite, and she will do almost anything for a treat. We find her cute and laugh about it because she is our adored pet, but it is not as cute when people act the same, and at times, it can even be fatal: eating the wrong food or overeating for a period of time can cause problems, health issues, or even death. In Genesis, Adam and Eve were kicked out of the paradise for eating a forbidden fruit and that affected the fate of humanity forever. Essau sold his birthright to Jacob over a bowl of soup which caused his decedents to lose God's favor. Another case is found in the book of 1 King 13 when a young prophet was killed by a lion after eating foods when he was instructed by God not to eat. Israelites craved meat and other foods they used to eat in Egypt on the way to the promised land. They forgot about the misery of slavery and grumbled about not having access to the same tasty foods and despised manna instead of being grateful for God's miraculous deliverance, provision, and protection. Eventually, many got killed with meat still in their mouth. (Numbers 11) They paid for their food cravings with their lives.

It is God who gave us foods in abundance, and we should enjoy His provision, and of course, we do need food to maintain our health and strength. However, there are times when we should pause to give our bodies rest from the responsibility of digestion and instead "feed" our spirit with God's heavenly foods. Matthew 6:16 said "when" you fast not "if" you fast after all, but when and how long is between each individual and God, and of course with one's doctor's supervision. It shouldn't be about what we give up or for how long, but about why we are doing it. What moves God is not our sacrifice but brokenness. God said in 1 Samuel 2:30, I will honor those who honor me. If we purposefully set aside time to hunger for His presence the way we crave food (complete withdrawal or Daniel fast or whatever you feel led by God doing) to seek His face, He will respond with feasting.

The first time I decided to try fasting was when I returned from my 2-year-prodigal journey after a divorce. I walked away from God and enjoyed the time of my life out in the world. All my new friends filled the void from my disappointment in God after the divorce. Many people I started hanging out with had private jets, yachts, and a 10,000 sf townhome in Manhattan. We often flew to Miami Beach for lunch on the weekends on a private plane and flew back home after dinner with friends. I saw no reason to forgo that lifestyle, even when I knew God was nudging me back to Him through other people. When I finally turned around, I could not hear God’s voice. So, I opted to do a 40-day fasting by not eating anything after 3 PM, which was painless. The only item I had on my prayer list for 40 days was to hear God’s voice. On the 38th day, I sat down to pray as usual, and unexpectedly, God’s voice fell in my heart about two things that concerned my situation at that time. Miracles after miracles followed afterward. Some people expressed amazement at how my arrogant demeanor changed, and they could sense God's presence around me. I felt so close to God; I could almost hear His heartbeat. I felt like I was feasting at His table face to face with Him. He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Our cups overflow.