DEVOTION ~ ADDUCE THE POTENCY OF FASTING

Theme: Adduce the Potency of Fasting

Text: Ezra 8:21-23

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Tough moments reveal where really you stand and gives meaning to what you profess. Ezra has just finished telling the king how powerful and mighty God is amazingly permission has been given for them to return to Jerusalem. However, their opposers lie ahead of them in ambush to make an end of them. If only some soldiers and horsemen (physical protection) can go with them, their adversaries will flee before them. But there they are, without such escort. 

Ezra did well in speaking of God's mighty power and due to that, he was so ashamed to ask for physical protection from the king. I want to believe it's not a shame to talk highly of God at all. There's nothing impossible with him. Ezra did not allow the challenge ahead of him to render the praise of God little or unworthy of it. He did the honorable thing by leading the team to fast and seek God's face to overcome their challenge. 

How do you handle challenges in your life? Do you really believe God is able to see you through the challenges successfully? Dear beloved in the Lord, all things are possible with God so in your challenging times always seek His face. If he had gone back to the king for help, the king will assume all he said about God were tales. Start telling others the awesome works of God in your life and that of others around you. The more you talk about the power of God, the more you also become spiritually awaken to always depend on God for all things.

When you surrender to God, he makes all things beautiful. They fasted and prayed to God and they were answered. This act of Ezra really adduced (give a particular fact as proof that what he said about God is very true) the potency of fasting and prayers. You need to develop schedules of fast for yourself and your family so you can always draw closer to God. In the days of the disciples, they prayed over a boy to receive his healing but nothing happened. However, when this child was brought to Jesus, he received healing. The disciples desired to know why they could not heal the boy but Jesus answered; However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:14-21). Understand today, prayer and fasting go hand in hand. Balance them well in your life so you can overpower the wicked schemes of the adversaries.

If you say God is mighty but you don't show that in your life, then you need to reexamine what you're professing. Adduce to the world the power of our God as well as the potency of fasting and prayers in every sphere of your life.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the knowledge on fasting and prayers. I ask for grace to fast and pray as often as I can but not for show off. Equip me to proof Your works to the world in Jesus' name have I asked. AMEN!