Jehoshaphat Fasted

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.
Andrew Murray

The first thing Jehoshaphat did, upon learning of the impending attack on Judah, was to call upon a national fast.  He did not call upon them to pray but to fast.  Shouldn’t he have appealed to the people to pray?

I use to think of fasting as the magic ingredient that somehow changed God to be more benevolent and give me what I sought after.  If I desired something bad enough I would express that desire by fasting.  Wrong!  Fasting does not change God.  Fasting changes me.

When fasting, we are putting aside our flesh and allowing God to work on our spirit.  We are crucifying the old man and letting him die, so that Christ can live and control us.  As we become more Christlike by fasting, we are allowing the power of God to flow through us in a more powerful way.

By proclaiming a fast among the people of Judah, Jehoshaphat was calling upon the nation to draw nearer to God.  He knew that in order for their prayers of salvation to succeed, the flesh had to die, and God’s righteous lifestyle must be manifested.

God desires to work in your life.  He wants to do great things with you and through you.  He has great plans for your life but, unless you are willing to be like Christ, he cannot  move within you as he desires.  Fasting helps to kill self and allows God that opportunity of working His power in and through you.  Because of the nation of Judah fasting, God could move within the people and fight for them.  He can do the same with you, if you’re willing.

What sign were you born under?

Astrological signs are very important to some people.  It tells what friends they are compatible with, who would make a good mate for them, and who to stay away from.  It tells them what the future holds for them and what actions to take in light of their horoscopes.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be with some people who prayed for a woman who needed healing.  The Lord led me to ask her, “Have you been involved in anything within the occult?”

She looked at a friend of hers, who was with us, as if to say, “Did you tell them?”  The friend laughed and said, “I never said anything to them.  It’s the Lord speaking.”

She turned back to us with a sigh.  “I used to make Astrology forecasts for people.  I would advise them using their astrological signs on what the future would be.  Now whenever I meet someone new, the first thing I think is “I wonder what their astrological sign is.”

We advised her about astrology and how she needed to renounce and repent of all of it.  Then the lord spoke to me about her, and as soon as he did a brother in Christ turned to me. “David, do you have something to say?”

I smiled.  The lord was truly with us, leading in this.  “Yes,” I said and turned to the woman. “The lord wants you to remember and never forget the sign you were born under.  Never forget your birth sign.  You were born under the sign of The Blood Stained Cross.”

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, you died to the world and were born again.  Whatever your astrological sign was does not matter.  Maybe you were born a Virgo by natural birth, but by your spiritual birth you are now born under the sign of The Blood Stained Cross.

Your spiritual birth is more than just a ticket to heaven.  It means you are now no longer under the power of this world, but you are free to be the man or woman God designed you to be.  You think the stars have power to influence your life?  The power of Jesus in your life far exceeds any power in this world or in the heavens.

Your horoscope can tell you what you are like or what will happen to you but then Jesus steps in and says, “I break that curse off of you.  You are no longer what your horoscope says you are, but you are my child and I will make you into my image.  Your future is no longer what the stars say, but will instead be full of my blessings, and you will follow my path.”

1 John 5:4 “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

You have been freed.  God’s tremendous power is now focused on you.  He will bring you out from under the power of this world and into an abundant life, tapped into the power of God.  His power is freely given for your edification, for the blessings of others and for the glory of God.