THEY FASTED
On Sinai’s mount, with radiant face,
To intercede for heaven’s grace
Upon a stubborn, wayward rece,
He fasted.
Once lifted from the miry clay,
When opposition came his way
This soldier-king would often pray
With fasting.
A seer, possessed of vision keen,
Who told the troubled king his dream,
Had light on God’s prophetic scheme
Through fasting.
The prophetess in temple court
Beheld the Babe the two had brought;
For Him she long had prayed and sought,
With fasting.
He came to break the yoke of sin,
But ere His mission could begin
He met the foe and conquered him
With fasting.
“Set these apart,” the Spirit bade.
A spring, that soon vast rivers made,
Broke ope by men who as they prayed
Were fasting.
“So shall they fast when I am gone”;
Was this no word to act upon?
Ask countless saints who fought and won
With fasting.
When we shall stand on that great day
And give account, what shall we say,
If He should ask us, “Did you pray –
With fasting?”
Arthur Wallis
Great post.
It has been a long time since I have fasted for any but medical reasons. Today, I finally broke that “fast”. For that reason, the poem above is both convicting, and “challenging”. As a Christian, I certainly want, at the end of this life, to stand before the Lord, and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Jesus fasted and prayed. I must follow His example to the best of my ability. Lord, please give me the strength to keep this five week commitment, and, longer.
I look forward to tomorrow’s sermon on prayer, an exercise in which I’m much more faithful. Dave and I are so thankful to have been led to FBC- RH, and are appreciative of it’s leadership!
I’m thankful the Lord led you all to First Baptist Church & I pray this is a time of incredible growth for both of you.