Psalm 63:1-11
Fasting is the spiritual discipline of limiting our food intake for the sake of pursuing God and learning self-control of the flesh.
THE CONTEXT:
The CONTEXT of Psalm 63:
David’s Wilderness Time in 1 Samuel 21-23
Seeking God FIRST in the midst of the wilderness requires us to pursue God by remembering His goodness despite our circumstances.
The CONTEXT of our 21-Day Fast:
Our Abundance in 2020 America
Seeking God FIRST in the midst of abundance requires us to pursue God by exercising self-control in the face of many options.
THE PURSUIT:
David’s language for pursuing God:
-Eagerly seek You (vs 1)
-Thirst for You (vs 1)
-Faint for You (vs 1)
-Gaze on You (vs 2)
-Glorify You (vs 3)
-Bless You (vs 4)
-Lift Up My Hands (vs 4)
-Praise You (vs 5)
-Meditate on You (vs 6)
-Rejoice in You (vs 7)
-Follow Close to You (vs 8)
The KEY to making fasting a spiritual activity more than just a physical activity is pursuing GOD in the midst of the fast.
There are TWO parts to any effective fast:
-What is God asking me to give up during my fast?
-How will I pursue God MORE than usual during my fast?
THE REASONS:
1. The land is dry and desolate.
2. God’s faithful love is better than life itself.
3. God’s presence satisfies us more than the richest foods.
4. God is our only great helper.
5. God will sustain us and hold us in His hand forever.
THE GAME PLAN:
1. Follow our daily Bible reading plan
2. Practice spontaneous prayer when feeling hungry
3. Journal each night what God is teaching you
4. Worship the Lord throughout the day
5. Keep your eyes on God > food
