This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. Leviticus 16:29-31
“In Jewish tradition and culture, fasting also plays a significant role. Historically, fasting was used to express mourning for the dead. It was a way to express submission to God, both individually and corporately. We see through their example that fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and to seek His help.
For example, Moses fasted before receiving the commandments from God. The celebration of Yom Kippur is the only fast explicitly mandated by God in the Torah, observed in the seventh month (Tishrei) as a day of atonement for the affliction and introspection of one’s soul.”
Vladimir Savchuk in A Beginner’s Guide to Fasting: Simple, Practical, Biblical (Pasco, WA: 2024) 6.
Fasting comes into view as an important day of rest for God’s people.
I find it fascinating how most modern protestants know nothing or next to nothing about fasting. And many of them say they have never practiced it.
Read the Scripture again. Notice that God describes this as an important day of rest.
Work for people in antiquity linked not so much to make a paycheck. Most people worked the land to eat. God says, take the day off. Those who humble themselves find spiritual refreshment.
What if you took a day of rest from food and work to humble yourself before God?
Today I will fast a meal and draw near to God, rest, and surrender the GTP Global Gathering to Him and everything and everyone related to this important week.
I am safely in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the words of Esther, “Fast for me.”