Topical Bible: Fasting: Afflictions

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Fasting, as depicted in the Bible, is a spiritual discipline often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. It is a voluntary abstention from food, and sometimes drink, for a specified period, undertaken as an act of worship and devotion. The practice of fasting is frequently linked with afflictions, both as a response to personal or communal distress and as a means of humbling oneself before God.

Biblical Instances of Fasting in Times of Affliction

1. David's Fasting for His Child: In 2 Samuel 12:16-17, King David fasted and lay all night on the ground, pleading with God for the life of his ill child. This period of fasting was marked by deep personal affliction and sorrow, as David sought divine intervention in a time of crisis.

2. Esther and the Jews: In the Book of Esther, when the Jewish people faced the threat of annihilation, Queen Esther called for a fast. Esther 4:16 records her words: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do." This communal fast was an expression of collective affliction and a plea for God's deliverance.

3. Nehemiah's Mourning and Fasting: Nehemiah, upon hearing of the desolation of Jerusalem, sat down and wept, mourning for days while fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4). His fasting was a response to the affliction of his people and the ruined state of the city, seeking God's favor and guidance for restoration.

4. Daniel's Fasting for Understanding: In Daniel 9:3, the prophet Daniel turned to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. This act of fasting was in response to the affliction of his people and a desire for understanding and insight into God's plans.

Purpose and Significance of Fasting in Affliction

Fasting during times of affliction serves several purposes in the biblical narrative:

· Humility and Repentance: Fasting is often an expression of humility and repentance, acknowledging one's dependence on God. In Joel 2:12, the Lord calls His people to return to Him with all their heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

· Seeking Divine Intervention: In moments of crisis, fasting is a means of seeking God's intervention and favor. It is a way to demonstrate earnestness in prayer and a desire for God's will to be done.

· Spiritual Clarity and Strength: Fasting can lead to spiritual clarity and strength, enabling individuals to better discern God's voice and direction. It is a time of drawing closer to God, setting aside physical needs to focus on spiritual growth.

· Solidarity and Unity: Communal fasting, as seen in the Book of Esther, fosters a sense of solidarity and unity among believers, as they collectively seek God's mercy and deliverance.

Warnings and Misuse of Fasting

While fasting is a powerful spiritual practice, the Bible also warns against its misuse. In Isaiah 58:3-5, God rebukes those who fast for selfish reasons or without genuine repentance, emphasizing that true fasting should lead to justice, mercy, and righteousness. Jesus also cautions against fasting for outward show, instructing His followers to fast in secret, with sincerity and humility (Matthew 6:16-18).

In summary, fasting in the context of afflictions is a profound biblical practice that underscores a believer's reliance on God, a heart of repentance, and a desire for divine intervention. It is a means of aligning oneself with God's purposes, seeking His guidance, and experiencing His presence in times of need.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 35:13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
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Daniel 6:18
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
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Library

Of the Union of Our Will to the Divine Good-Pleasure in Spiritual ...
... The love of the cross makes us undertake voluntary afflictions, as for example,
fasting, watching, hair-shirts and other macerations of the flesh, and makes us ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii of the union.htm

The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting...
... The former subject of the Sedition continued; also of fasting; and upon the Apostolic ...
sufferings, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xviii the former subject.htm

Trials of the Christian
... Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light ... The righteous are apt to be like
well-fed children, too wanton, if God should not appoint them some fasting-days ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiv trials of the christian.htm

Of the Distinction of Meats.
... earnest, and unfeigned mortification, to wit, to be exercised with divers afflictions,
and to ... Matt.17, 21: This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvi of the distinction.htm

Those who in Town or in Villages Wish to Go Away into Cloisters...
... are first of all to be shut up in the said convent even against their wills, and
then are to cure themselves with fasting and other afflictions, knowing how it ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xli those who in.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... That the apostle Paul considered fasting an excellent means for spiritual ... of God
should approve themselves by "much patience, in afflictions, in necessities ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

The General Service to a Monk.
... best, thou didst, O most glorious father (mentioned by name), by fasting destroy
the ... I make known my sorrows, for my soul is become full of afflictions and my ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xii the general service.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities ... anxiety, stripes,
imprisonment, tumult or sedition, labor, watching, fasting, and so on! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... who, for our sakes abiding amongst wild beasts in the desert, and fasting forty
days ... be to Thee, O Christ, who for me hast suffered many afflictions, heat, cold ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

2 Cor. I. 23
... every where by the authority of the Spirit, and didst set forth thine afflictions. ...
Praiseworthy indeed is even that which now ye do, your fasting and lying on ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 2 cor i.htm