Topical Bible: Fasting: Promises Connected With

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Fasting, a spiritual discipline observed throughout the Bible, is often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. The practice of fasting is not merely an act of self-denial but is deeply connected with spiritual promises and divine responses. The Bible provides numerous instances where fasting is linked with specific promises and outcomes, reflecting God's faithfulness to those who earnestly seek Him.

1. Divine Guidance and Revelation: Fasting is frequently associated with seeking God's direction and wisdom. In the Book of Acts, the early church leaders fasted and prayed before making significant decisions. Acts 13:2-3 states, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." This passage illustrates the promise of divine guidance when believers dedicate themselves to fasting and prayer.

2. Deliverance and Protection: The account of Esther highlights fasting as a means of seeking deliverance. When faced with the threat of annihilation, Esther called for a fast among the Jews. 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." The subsequent deliverance of the Jewish people underscores the promise of God's protection and intervention in response to fasting.

3. Repentance and Forgiveness: Fasting is often linked with repentance and the promise of forgiveness. In the Book of Joel, God calls His people to return to Him with fasting. Joel 2:12-13 declares, "'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion." This passage emphasizes the promise of God's mercy and forgiveness when His people humble themselves through fasting.

4. Healing and Restoration: The promise of healing and restoration is also connected with fasting. Isaiah 58:6-8 describes the kind of fasting that pleases God: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly." This passage promises that genuine fasting, accompanied by acts of justice and mercy, leads to spiritual and physical healing.

5. Spiritual Strength and Victory: Fasting is a source of spiritual strength and victory over temptation. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights before beginning His public ministry, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-2 : "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." This period of fasting prepared Jesus for the temptations He would face, demonstrating the promise of spiritual fortitude and triumph through fasting.

6. Intimacy with God: Fasting fosters a deeper intimacy with God, as it is an expression of earnest seeking and devotion. In Matthew 6:17-18 , Jesus instructs, "But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This promise of divine reward highlights the personal and intimate nature of fasting as a means of drawing closer to God.

Throughout Scripture, fasting is portrayed as a powerful spiritual practice that invites God's presence, guidance, and intervention. The promises connected with fasting are a testament to the transformative power of this discipline when undertaken with a sincere heart and a desire to align with God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 58:8-12
Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:18
That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.
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Library

Thirteenth Lesson. Prayer and Fasting;'
... In nothing is man more closely connected with the world ... terrible incapacity of trusting
our Father and His promises. ... even in the prayer and fasting that brings ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/thirteenth lesson prayer and fasting.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... to spend his gained time in fasting and prayer. ... assure us, by so many precious promises,
that he ... Intimately connected with this is the practice of ejaculatory ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, vi.
... and New Testaments, and is closely connected with the ... not only the self-restraint
of fasting, but also ... unrighteous and shameless avarice, which promises to do ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvii on the fast.htm

Malachi.
... (3) The discussion of fasting, should they ... (4) The promises of these ... He was connected
with the reform movement of Nehemiah and Ezra and condemned the same sins ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiii malachi.htm

Sixth Lesson. How Much More?'
... accepts too all that the Lord has connected with it ... shall receive,' He says: I give
these promises to those ... perfect' (v.45): to those whose fasting and praying ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/sixth lesson how much more.htm

Book 4
... With fasting and prayer.3. By whom ... mysteries, with which they are in some measure
connected; and lest ... the meaning is beheld, consists in the promises; the matter ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 4.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... by the side of every humiliation connected with the ... the near fulfilment of the great
promises, and that ... the Sanctuary, [1010] and spent in fasting and prayer ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... to do so from the promise connected with penitence ... which thou hast believed His
threatenings and promises, and which ... his body with vigils and fasting; while all ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

The Writings of Clement.
... on the Passover; [1847] discussions on Fasting and on ... possible that Clement regarded
his promises as fulfilled ... 6), and the Stromata, form a connected series of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii the writings of clement.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... since His assistance is powerful as His promises are true. ... it must be held void,
not being connected with any ... food, they can be purged by fasting and laying on ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm