This past December I began sensing the Lord was leading me to fast for 40 days, specifically on behalf of the land I am living in. Not much spiritual fruit has ever been harvested in this country, which is burdened and imprisoned to many demonic strongholds.
I had fasted before, but never for 40 days. As I continued sensing the Lord's prompting I also heard His encouragement that HE would be my source of strength to accomplish this (for me) impossible task.
From February 5 - March 16 He DID accomplish the impossible in my life, as He strengthened me each day to abstain from food. There were many difficult days. On Day 10 I wrote in my journal:
There are times when this fast has become extremely difficult. I have felt intensely hungry at times and decided I'm just not physically able to do this...perhaps I should add one meal a day. But I'm aware that being hungry is not something I should avoid. I'm experiencing some suffering, and Your Word says that is a good thing. (I Pet 4:13) But how I run from it and attempt to avoid suffering altogether!Lord, strengthen me with power by Your Spirit in my inner being, that I can overcome the temptations that hit me every day. I cannot make it through the next 30 days on my own strength...it's almost gone.
Two days later I wrote:
Jesus, You became obedient to the point of death! (Phil 2:8) I'm having a hard time being obedient just to the point of hunger and discomfort. My attitude should be the same as Yours, so empower me with Your attitude--obedience at all cost.
As Easter approaches, I'm reminded daily what it means in my life that Jesus was obedient to the point of death. I have been made alive and freed from captivity, and I now have the incomparable riches of His grace. Furthermore, the very same power that raised my Savior from the dead on Easter is available to me every minute of every day (Eph 1:19-20)! I doubt I have any idea yet what the magnitude of His power can look like in my life, but I have seen a glimmer of it as I stepped out in faith and watched Him sustain me. May I continue to walk in obedience, trusting in His power to accomplish the impossible in my life.
Theresa Olive
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