The chapters Exodus 25, Numbers 29, Judges 6 and 11, 1Chronicles 7, 8 and 12, Job 31, Psalm 37, Jeremiah 23 and 31, John 18, Acts 8, 16 and 21, 1Corinthians 7 and 14, along with Hebrews 11, all have 40 verses in the KJV.įrom the time they entered the Promised Land, to the time of King Saul, Israel was sporadically governed by a number of individuals known as Judges. The book of Exodus, in the King James translation, is the only one that contains 40 chapters. The children of Israel were punished by wandering the wilderness for 40 years before a new generation was allowed to possess the Promised Land. This article is part of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history.Because of their sins after leaving Egypt, God swore that the generation of Israelites who left Egyptian bondage would not enter their inheritance in Canaan (Deuteronomy 1). She also provides monthly Bible reading plans and articles on her website com. You can catch her life giving messages weekly on Instagram and YouTube. ![]() She passionately teaches how to find life in God's Word in order to live abundantly. May this be our prayer as we fast to serve God better.Īndy Lee is an event speaker, blogger, YouTuber, and award winning author of three books, A Mary Like Me The Book of Ruth Key-Word Bible Study, and Radiant Influence: How an ordinary girl changed the world. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me into the everlasting way” ( Psalm 139:23-24, addition mine). I am reminded of David’s plea, “Search me oh God, and know my heart test me and know my anxious ways. But when we fast to grow closer to God, hear the Lord’s wisdom, and fight spiritual battles, and we incorporate prayer and the Word of God, then our fast becomes a Christian discipline. We may employ intermittent fasting to lose weight. It is possible to fast for health reasons, and that’s okay. The Christian’s reason for fasting and what we do during the fast is what separates the fast from diets and fads and other religions. Rather than fasting to gain favor with God, or a higher level of spirituality, as in Hinduism, Christians fast to gain wisdom and strength to help them live more eternally productive lives on this side of eternity. No amount of fasting can get us into heaven without Jesus. Though the Christian fast is a form of submission or humility to God, Christian fasting is not done to gain favor with God. Instead, Muslims fast primarily to express their submission to Allah.” Islam affirms the goodness of creation and human enjoyment of creation in moderation, evidenced by the feast that takes place each evening when the fast is broken at sunset. “Whereas fasting in other traditions is sometimes associated with health benefits, political advocacy, or the ascetic rejection of the world, such is not the case with Islam. Muslims fast during Ramadan, a corporate fast abstaining from food and water during the daylight hours for 30 days. Though it’s a similar practice, with each form involving abstaining from food, sometimes water, and other pleasures of life, what separates Christian fasting from Hindus, Muslims, and other eastern religions is the fast’s purpose. Many religions include the discipline of fasting. What Separates Christian Fasting from Other Religions’ Form of Fasting? In eastern religions, meditation involves emptying oneself completely, but the Christian fills that empty place with truth. In the same sense, when I’ve chosen to fast a meal or social media or time watching television at night, I replace what I’m fasting with God’s Word-this is a form of meditation. When I fast and my stomach rumbles, I’m reminded to pray. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways” ( Psalm 119:14-15). “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. It doesn’t always involve food, but it should always involve replacing those things with time spent in God’s Word, meditating on God’s truth. In simplest terms, fasting involves abstaining from food, water, or something we enjoy, like social media or coffee. In this way, fasting can be considered meditation, especially when coupled with Scripture. It helps us pray with clarity and purpose. Is Christian Fasting a Form of Meditation?įasting strengthens our prayers and prepares us for ministry because it cultivates a greater awareness of God and his wisdom.
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