Unprecedented times. We need a reset. What even is true? These are all current memes and themes that seem to resonate across our radar. Be wary — these affect how we are connected with God.
What we put in front of us via social media or web content will resound in our mind and create pathways. There are patterns in the airwaves and internet (and even in our friends!) that have strong potential to lead us away from God. It is vital as followers of Jesus that we actually follow Him, and not the noise around us.
It is vital as followers of Jesus that we actually follow Him, and not the noise around us.
We must be diligent in getting our heart connected with God again.
It’s time for Christians to fast
To cut to the chase, it’s time for Christians to fast, and by that I mean truly fast in a way that centres our full attention back on Jesus. He is the hope of the world (Matt 12:21), which means He is our only hope. Fasting is the biblical discipline of denying the flesh to bring it back into surrender and submission to the leading of the Lord. It’s the best way of saying, “Lord, you rule and reign.”
As I considered fasting and my personal commitment to seek the Lord, I was drawn back to the story of King David. David sinned before God and committed adultery and murder. His heart was impure and his actions reflected it. God remained committed to restoration and brought the prophet Nathan with a rebuke and invitation. The key aspect of my focus was the fasting of David in the midst of the consequences of his sin. “The baby born to David and ‘Uriah’s widow’ was sick and would die,” the Lord decreed. The Bible tells is in 2 Samuel 12 that David wept, sought after the Lord and fasted (2 Sam 12:16).
Have a heart like David
What’s the point? In the midst of uncertainty our response should be that of David:
- We weep, which shows our sorrow at the state of the world.
- We seek after God with a desire to be covered by His love and grace.
- And, we should deny our flesh by fasting to bring it to submission to God.
In this state of lament, David wrote Psalm 51 — it’s worth your time to read it. All of it.
In the middle of this beautiful, heartfelt prayer, we read these words:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
(Psalm 51:10-12)
Connected with God
Oh, that we would have our heart connected with God, that we would have the joy of His salvation amidst the richness of His Presence.
How can you deny your flesh in order to bring your heart back to God?