I’m reading an intriguing book entitled, Fit For Life A New Beginning by Harvey Diamond. It’s the first book I can remember reading about physical health. If you believe in good health or if you’ve ever had cancer, heart trouble, or other physical ailments, this is a must read book.
Mr. Diamond is a fan of fasting because of the value it holds for our bodies. Reading his thoughts spurred my own thoughts. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:17,18—"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, Who is unseen; and your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Fasting is not a popular activity. Few people abstaining from eating to grow deeper in their relationship with God. Yet, not only is there a spiritual reward from God for private fasting, there is also a physical reward. Abstaining from food cleanses the body of impurities. In essence God doubly blesses us when we focus our attention on Him.
Meditation
Psalm 23:1-3—The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
When I ask my children to follow my guidance, I do so because in a limited sense I know what is good for them. When God asks us to follow His guidance He knows what is best for us. We can disdain fasting because we love food and have so much of a good thing we lose the best thing—cleansing. We can ignore setting aside a day of rest because we enjoy activities only to find that stress rises unabated because we are seldom restored. We can refuse to humble ourselves because we are right and miss the blessing of inheriting the earth.
If God asks us to do something I suspect we are fools to ignore Him. Where He leads there is sure to be blessing even if our shortsighted eyes see nothing. When’s the last time you took inventory and evaluated who the real leader of your life is? I’m so convicted by the thought I have to simply confess before God, "Oh Lord, help me, help me. Give me the strength to do what you ask."
Inspiration
