Fast

2 Chronicles 20:2-3 – Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

2 Chronicles 24:24 – Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the Lord delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their ancestors, judgment was executed on Joash.

Ezra 8:23 – So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Esther 4:16 – “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Joel 1:14 – Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.

Application:

• ·         Just as God had helped the small army of Judah against overwhelming odds when the king and people were faithful to Him, also in their unfaithfulness they are defeated by a much smaller force of invaders.
• ·         There is an association between fasting and prayer.
• ·         Fasting, required on the Day of Atonement and also practiced in times of calamity, was a sign of penitence and humility.
• ·         The Bible speaks against outward signs that do not reflect a corresponding inward belief or attitude.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV