2024 21 Day Fast Devotional — Day 7: Fasting Aligns Our Hearts With God’s
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” – Joel 2:12 (NIV)
In Joel 2:12, God extends a heartfelt invitation to return to Him with all our hearts, underlining the importance of fasting in this process. Fasting involves deliberately choosing to abstain from food or activities for a set period. But why does God specifically mention fasting in this context?
Fasting is more than just a physical act; it’s a spiritual discipline that can recalibrate our hearts. It’s like a reset button for our soul. When we fast, we intentionally set aside the distractions of our physical appetites to focus on our spiritual hunger for God. Consider it as a tuning fork for the heart. Fasting tunes our hearts to the frequency of God’s presence, creating a space for deeper intimacy and connection. It’s a way of saying, “Lord, more than the pleasures of this world, I desire You.”
When we abstain from food or other comforts, we become more attuned spiritually to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. In these moments of heightened spiritual sensitivity, we can hear God more clearly, repent sincerely, and realign our priorities with His.
Fasting is not about earning God’s favor or proving our devotion; rather, it’s a tangible expression of our earnest desire to draw near to Him. It’s an acknowledgment that we need Him more than the temporary satisfactions of this world.
So, in the midst of life’s busyness, consider the call to return to God with fasting. Let it be a deliberate choice to quiet the noise around you, to open your heart to His leading, and to experience the transformative power of drawing near to Him. Through fasting, you will discover a pathway to align your heart with the Lord’s, creating space for His presence to fill and renew you.
Prayer and Reflection:
Why do you think God specifically mentions fasting as part of the process of returning to Him? How does the act of fasting contribute to a deeper connection with God? How can you practically incorporate fasting into your life as a means of drawing closer to God and aligning your heart with His desires?