Why Do We Fast?

As we enter our first full week of Lent, many of us are practicing self-denial through fasting. Whether it be social media, caffeine, meat, sweets, or smoking, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are fasting alongside one another in observance of Lent. Last week, we briefly discussed some of the "why's" of the tradition, but many still may be wondering "Why fast?" Can't we still serve God without fasting? Is fasting just legalism? Is there any REAL benefit, other than celebrating tradition? Over the next few weeks, we will explore a few of these traditional Lenten religious practices, and examine both the theological and even psychological impacts of them.

Long before it was a religious tradition or a modern diet-trend, fasting was established as a spiritual discipline. The first mention of fasting in Scripture comes at one of the most monumental moments of the Old Testament:  Moses at Mount Sinai. Whilst receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses fasted for 40 days and nights. Now, some may argue this fast was simply logistical; he fasted because he was on a mountain and had no access to such provisions. However, this is not an isolated occasion. All throughout Scripture, we see people fast when seeking, or actively in, the presence of the LORD Almighty.

In terms of direct commandments of fasting, the Law of Moses only has one direct occurrence:  the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-30). This day was the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, and was "religiously busy." On this day, the high priest performed rituals to atone for the sins of the people; the people fasted and did not work; the high priest entered the Most Holy Place with incense and sprinkled the mercy seat with blood; and a goat was sacrificed and expelled into the wilderness to carry the people's sins away. As you can imagine, it was a day held in extreme importance, and God demanded fasting on such a day.

So, why did Moses fast? Was it simply circumstance? Or could it be that when you're in the presence of the Living God, you neither need nor desire anything else? Now I'm not a gambling man, but I'd bet it's the latter. See, the Bible is full of passages where people fasted in moments of needing to fully depend on the LORD. Just to name a few:  

• When Daniel fasted for 21 days, and God gave him revelations about Israel's future (Daniel 10:2-3)
• When David fasted and prayed over his sick son (2 Samuel 12:16-20)
• When Esther and the Jews fasted before she approached King Xerxes (Esther 4:16)
• When Saul fasted for three days after his conversion (Acts 9:9)
• When Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

So, why do we fast? To remind ourselves that we are not dependent upon anything more than the Creator of the Universe, the Lover of Our Souls. No thing can satisfy us in a way that's more fulfilling, pleasurable, and constant than being dependent upon God, calling upon Him in our weakness and distress. In this season, remove the idols and distractions, give of yourself in a new way, and enjoy intimacy with your Heavenly Father.