Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827): Fast Day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Make every effort possible to enter into the pleasure of God through Jesus.  This is not the place for fulfilling all your dreams and desires.  It is a place of testing where God judges the actions, attitudes, thoughts and words of man.

I spoke to a man regarding fasting a while ago.  His immediate response, without hearing what I had to say, was that he was not “into” that fasting stuff.  What will be said then?  If the Lord saw fit to fast for 40 days before He entered His ministry, what reason will we give that we could not suffer loss for a short time?  God is Glory.  And He has presented His perfect example for us in Jesus.  If you see Jesus doing something to please His Father, why not endure the same as you are able?

Fasting is a rejection of food, drink, pleasure, desires, dreams, and hopes.  Pick your proper fast and do it.  Do it so that no one will see but God.  Present yourself before Him as one who desires His will over all the things of this world.  See if He won’t extend a hand of help and grace to you.  But if you never taste these things, you will never know the glory God desires to give you.