We fast from something not because it is bad but because God’s gifts are so good and we can fall in love with His gifts more than the giver. For a short time we fast from one of his gifts in order to check our heart and see if we hunger for God like we hunger for his gift of food.
Tests are difficult but they also strengthen us and check to see if we really are what we say. We can talk a good game, but the test reveals the reality. It’s easy to sing songs that Jesus is more than enough for me, my one desire, my all in all, but what about when his gifts begin to disappear? Is he enough then?
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
Matthew 4:1-4, 7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/mat.4.1-7.NIV
Jesus doesn’t just have these words memorized he has now experienced them being true because of his testing in the wilderness. He has fasted 40 days and has experienced God being enough.
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