FROM THE PREACHER'S LENSES

Sam AwedaTuesday, September 20, 2011
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THE MYSTERY IN FASTING ----(11)
DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION OF FASTING (5)

Short fast II

arlier, Short Fast II has been described as missing two meals in a row, described in the Scripture as "fasting till even" (Joshua 7:6; Judges 20:23,26; 2 Sam 1:11-12). Usually morning and lunch (afternoon) meals are avoided. But dinner is eaten.


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During the fast, water may or may not be drunk. It is individual's choice. It can last one day or as many days as purposed. i.e breaking every evening and continuing the following day or many days that follows.

I have noticed, that the only two records we have in the Scripture when God had the responsibility of feeding His people directly by Himself, He (God) did, twice daily and not thrice.

God fed the Israelites in the Wilderness on their way to their ancestral promised land with bread in the morning and flesh (quail) in the evenings.

They called the bread "Manna" (Ex 16:12-15).

God rained the food on then right from the morning of the 16th day of the second month of their departure from Egypt (vs1) till the morning following the day, which they ate of the old corn of the Promised Land. The 'Manna' ceased after this; a forty-year period (Joshua 5:12).

This fiery Prophet, Elijah had proclaimed dearth in Israel. He told Ahab, the king:

"As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years but according to my word" (1king 17:1).

And so it was for three years and six months (James 5:17).

At the initial time of the famine, Elias received word from the Lord to hide by the brook Cherith, and drink of the brook while The Lord Himself commanded the ravens to feed him (vs 6).

"The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the book" (vs6).

Clearly, Elijah ate two times a day.

Whether or not God did this on the two occasions for spiritual purposes, I do not know.

But one thing I know is that whatever God did or does is not only good but perfect. He considered as perfect for them, two meals a day and we have no record of any impairment to their health.

In fact, the Israelites enjoyed good health all through their journey except for the punishments which they received one time or the other for their disobedience.

I know a number of Christians who for spiritual purpose follow this practice of twice a day meal i.e. short fast II. The writer himself has followed this practice for over thity- five years. The advantage is simply that it equips me ready for battle any moment.

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Sam Aweda is President & Snr. Pastor, Jesus for the World Revival Mission (Peoples' Church)

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