Fasting: Proper Motivation and Results

Isaiah 58 is commonly known as the fasting chapter of the Bible. It tells us wrong and right ways to fast. it also speaks of proper motivation for fasting. It speaks of the results of fasting when done incorrectly and when done properly.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)

Correct fasting will loose bands of wickedness, or injustice. God makes wrong things right and removes heavy burdens, such as sin, sickness, or sorrow. It frees the oppressed and broken person. It breaks every yoke and releases them to wholeness. Then, you’ll only be yoked to God (Matthew 11:28-20)

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Isaiah 58:7-8 (KJV)

This tells us what to do during a fast: minister to others. Then it tells us the rewards of fasting, referencing Job 11:17, to tell us our life will bright and clear as the noonday. we shall shine forth as the morning. we’ll receive renewed youth, strength and vitality (Isaiah 40:31). Fasting will result in an acceleration of renewed energy, strength, health, and youth.

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; Isaiah 58:9 (KJV)

As we fast, we can call out to the Lord and we will hear Him as He reveals Himself. He will give us instruction.

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: Isaiah 58:10 (KJV)

God will give us light in the midst of darkness.

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11 (KJV)

Fasting can open us up to supernatural guidance, satisifaction, and a continual drinking of living waters.

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12 (KJV)

Fasting enables us to be restorers.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 58:13-14 (KJV)

When we honor God by denying ourselves, God will raise us up. God will take us to places we couldn’t even dream of and give us a good heritage. As we fast, we can expect to receive from the Lord because He does what He says.