Day 104
Ezra 8:21 Amplified Version
"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions."
King Cyrus of Persia had received a command from God to build the temple at Jerusalem. Once construction got underway, enemies began to interfere. Ezra, an Israelite priest, was coordinating the efforts to complete the project. There was danger along the route they had to travel, but Ezra was ashamed to request protection from the king. He had bragged to the king about God giving favor to all who seek Him.
Before they left for Jerusalem to take items they needed to complete the temple, Ezra proclaimed a fast. They were seeking God's direction.
Fasting allows us to quiet our bodies and tune in to the Spirit of God. To get the full benefit, we must not only abstain from food, but we must also seek God during the time we would normally be eating. It is important for us to realize that our helter-skelter behavior in times of crisis is not due to God hiding direction from us. We race about, because we do not take time to receive His guidance. Sometimes, receiving the insight we need requires more than just a few minutes of prayer and quietness before God. Fasting and dedicating our meal time to seeking God can make a tremendous difference in our ability to receive from Him. Jesus once told His disciples fasting could eliminate unbelief that would hinder mighty works of God from being performed through them.
We should be ashamed to fall desperately before the ungodly for help, when we have boasted about how great our God is. Surely, all we have said about God is true. So, let us seek His face for guidance as to how He plans for us to accomplish the tasks He has set before us. God is not haphazard. If He orders an ark to be built, the package always comes with specific instructions.
I will seek God for direction to accomplish the tasks set before me. When necessary, I will fast and pray, and God will give me revelation.