Dancing filled the streets of New York City, shouts of victory and gratefulness rang out in the church, party horns, fireworks and streamers erupted from neighborhoods all up and down the East Coast, and sooner or later, all over the world.
It was New Year’s Day 2020 and everyone was filled with excited anticipation for all the possibility the new decade held. I thought about travel, turning 25, completing my master’s program and so much more!
Not too long after, a strong but silent reality loomed over my heart and incapsulated my thoughts. It was time for New Year fasting.
No more Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccinos, no more Chic-Fil-A and no more late afternoon charcuterie. The Daniel Fast was upon us, and that meant for the next three weeks, I would have to learn to rely on God more heavily as I went without everyday dietary conveniences.
In my case, these conveniences were comfort foods.
The Daniel Fast, which many churches across the country do every year - most of the time at the beginning of the year - was inspired by the life of Daniel in the Old Testament. Daniel, and other young men his age, were selected to possibly become servants of the king.
In order to do so, the men went through what could be seen as a rigorous training/interview process. As you can imagine, the king wanted strong, smart men who could easily pick up on the language, culture and customs of the land.
Daniel’s city of origin, Jerusalem (the capital city of Judah) had been taken over by a king who did not respect the authority of God, Nebuchadnezzar. He worshipped other things and wanted those whom he captured, including Daniel, to do the same.
As part of the training process, Daniel was instructed to eat foods that God specifically told his people not to. Some of them had been previously offered to idols, while others were prepared in a way that wasn’t considered holy.
When Daniel found this out, he asked the chief eunuch for a big favor. Daniel asked if he and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Adeb-Nego could have only vegetables and water. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to give the men the finest foods the kingdom had to offer believing a plethora of heavy delicacies would make them stronger and their performance better.
The chief eunuch gave them ten days of eating their way, and at the end of that duration they came out stronger, wiser and more skilled than those who at from the king’s table.
Daniel 1:7 says, “7 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
Of course, when they went in for their interviews with the king, they were selected as servants and continued to live radically for God in an environment where He was not respected.
Their righteous rebellion got them into a lot of trouble along the way, including a few memorable Bible stories that have probably popped into your mind by now, like the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the lion’s den.
Each time, God rescued them and they were never harmed.
We fast to build our trust in God. Instead of relying on familiar worldly conveniences to get by, we rely more heavily on God. Fasting allows God’s glory to be personally revealed to us and gives us a public testimony of His power for others.
As Daniel continued to live a life of holiness in a land the remained Godless for several years, he grew in excellence and favor. Later on in the passage we learn that he prayed three times a day, landing him in the lion’s den mentioned earlier.
Fasting also encourages us to expand our relationship with God through prayer. Here’s how that situation ended:
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
~Daniel 6:26 - 28
Throughout the book of Daniel, we also learn about the many vivid visions and dreams the rebel had and interpreted for the kingdom’s leaders. Keeping God’s commands cleanses our spirits of distracting sin. Sin is distracting and permeates many parts of the spirit.
Fasting is not only a physical detox, but a spiritual one. It allows us to see and hear God more clearly.
With that being said, I hope you stay encouraged over the first part of January remembering the spiritual possibilities your physical discipline truly has. I also want to note that the Old Testament is clearly not boring, though when you get to the Kings and Chronicles (especially the Chronicles) you may want to prepare yourself because it gets pretty tedious, but nothing a good concordance and a heart to grow couldn’t conquer.
How is your New Year fasting going?
With Love,
Monet
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