Reasons and Results of Fasting
Yesterday, I (Pastor Todd), spoke on three of the seven areas that were impacted by the Fast in Esther. Fasting is a powerful means to get us in tune with the Heart of the Father. From there, we can see things better through the priorities of heaven. The three things that we looked at about fasting in the book of Esther are: 1. Confidence and Favor with Authority. 2. Empowerment. 3. Maintaining and Expanding through conversion.
I. Confidence and Favor with Authority:
As we partner with the Lord in His work, we will develop a track record of what our authority is. The more familiar we get in walking in that authority, the greater our confidence and favor will be. As children of God, we are already given favor from Him. However, that doesn’t always work out in a one-to-one scenario with authorities in this fallen world. As we saw in Esther, the imperial authority gave Haman a signet ring to let him commit genocide without really looking into it further.
When Esther called for a fast after realizing her people would be wiped out, she asked specifically that the people pray for her. Mordecai was asking her to see the king without being called for (an offense punishable by death if he doesn’t respond well). It was an issue of her people’s lives on the line if she didn’t act or her own life (and her people’s) if she did act. Mordecai had to convince her that self-preservation was not an option. She called for every Jew in the capital to fast and pray. We can surmise the two things she needed: Confidence to approach the throne at her own peril and Favor with the king.
The fast was effective. Esther had the courage to enter the king’s presence uninvited. The king had great favor on her and extended his scepter (the sign that it was ok for her to be there). Most of us won’t be making life or death decisions to save an ethnicity. However, we will be dealing with conflict and addressing wrongs with people. That’s just the nature of relationships in this world. Often times we may be faced with addressing an authority figure’s actions that prove destructive or harmful to themselves, us, and others. We need to address it with confidence. We also need a degree of favor, especially when there is a danger that retributive action may be taken against us.
II. Empowerment:
Fasting can change circumstances to make us more empowered. As a result of the fast and Esther’s courage and favor, the Jewish people throughout the empire were empowered to defend themselves against attackers. It could be said, they were empowered to neutralize any threats to them, their families, and their properties.
When we fast, we can find ourselves empowered in many ways. We may become empowered in the supernatural arena. We can discern and counter spiritual attacks. We may also become empowered by the tempering of our appetites. Seeing with a heavenly perspective can show us a great deal about ourselves and our desires that may be on the brink of becoming idols. By fasting, we can be empowered to break the chains of our bondages to personal habits and behaviors.
III. Maintain Territory and Expand Via Conversion:
As a result of the fast in Esther, the Jews’ went from being the target of genocide and property takeover to receiving legal backing to defend their territory. Even though the decree written by Esther and Mordecai reached all the provinces of the empire with enough time for people to get the message, there were still masses of people who wanted to kill the Jews and take their things. We see this in the resulting battles. Those who opposed the Jews were readily defeated and killed. The Jews were able to maintain their territory.
In addition to maintaining their territory, the stark contrast of legal decrees from Haman’s hand to Mordecai’s was noticeable to the other people in the empire. The Jews were so slated for massacre that no hope remained. The change in decree could only be perceived as the work of a god. People were so impacted by this reversal of fate for the Jews that they became convinced of the God of the Jews and converted to Judaism themselves.
When we fast, we can see the preservation of all that we have built for the kingdom of heaven. In addition, we may also see a rise in conversions, as people around us see the hand of God working on our behalf. Many times they see a fortunate turn of fate for a believer. Other times, they see the steadfast resilience of Christians in the midst of destruction and take note of it. The power of God, whether in advancing in life areas or preserving in devastation, becomes an attractive pull to those who see it.
So those are the three things we looked at yesterday. As we are ⅔ into the TGP fast, are you experiencing changes in perspective? Are you seeing things from heaven? Are you experiencing favor, confidence, and empowerment? If so, let us know in the comments below. If not, don’t be dismayed. Most of the impact of a fast won’t happen until after the fast. Esther didn’t express her courage to the king until after the 3 day fast. The reversal of the Jewish fate didn’t happen till even after that. Things are rarely instantaneous in the kingdom of heaven. Why? Because God operates in eternity and is unmoved by time.
Thanks for reading this blog post. During our fast, I hope it encourages you to continue facilitating an environment for God’s