We’re in the home stretch of our church wide month of fasting. The bible says in Gal 6:9, Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Racing dirt bikes for 90 minutes in the Texas heat is physically demanding. In racing, there’s a thing called hitting the wall… the initial-adrenaline spike fades, muscles fatigue, laps seem longer; an inexperienced rider might pull-off. But those who push through discover an inner strength they didn’t know they had.
In fasting, Day 19 can feel like hitting the wall. The initial-excitement has faded, days feel longer, & your purpose for fasting questioned. Fasting is a test & a tool. The bible says in Isaiah 58, True fasting is breaking strongholds. Fasting is not a task to check-off, but a tool to sanctify our soul. Heb 12 says, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer & perfecter of our faith.
A month of fasting can feel like a series of stumbles & falls. In those ‘hit the wall’ moments, trust God through the process of repentance. You will discover faith you didn’t know you had. When you hit the wall, or tempted to give up, draw near to God in prayer, the bible teaches, the testing of our faith produces perseverance, character, & hope. By God’s grace get back up, refocus, & press on towards the goal which God has called you heavenward. Every stumble becomes a testimony of perseverance. Prov 24 says, though the righteous fall 7 times, they rise again.
Apply your fasting experience to everyday life, Prov 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. The moral of the story is… hitting the wall, stumbling, getting off course, and getting back in the race is all part of the Christian experience. When we hit the wall, 2 Cor 12:9 says, His grace is sufficient & his strength is made perfect in our weakness, Act 24:20 says, make it your only aim, to finish our race & complete the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace in all the places you go, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Dave Ruff