Proclaiming a Fast

 We do some things as individuals, and we also do things with a group of people. We could do the same thing in both instances, but it would end up being a different experience when we do it in unity with other believers. There is just something special about working together in unity to do God's will. God loves to see it, and He blesses us when we do it.

When Ezra, the priest, was getting ready to return to Jerusalem with a big group of people to rebuild the temple, he led the people do something that would enable them to have a good, safe trip back. (Ezra 8:21) Ezra proclaimed a fast, there at the river of Ahava. He did it so the people would humble themselves before their God, and to seek from Him the right way for the people, their children, and their possessions. That was a very wise thing to do before they started a long, dangerous journey.

I believe proclaiming a fast would be a good thing for any church, small group, or any family when they really need an answer from the Lord about something very important for them to do. The first thing it does for us is to humble us before God. It forces us to put behind our physical needs and our need for the pleasure of eating, so we can be pleasing to God. Fasting from food for a period of time gets God's attention.

Also, once we have been able to get His attention, to show Him we are very serious about our request, we need to ask Him for any direction for our lives. Ezra's group needed to know the right way to get to Jerusalem safely. We need to know how to navigate life safely. We need to know how to make the right decisions. We need for God to give us His perspective on things. When the group fasts, God will see and answer with a special urgency.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1.