It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. This is the third time today that the topic of fasting has been brought up. That probably means there is a lesson for my life that God is working on teaching me. I hope that I learn it well. Esther was planning to undertake a life and death journey into the king’s presence. Her life was in jeopardy; whether she went to the king or waited her physical life was under a death sentence. Mordecai had raised her, and apparently he had taught her that when we faced situations that looked insurmountable the only response we have is to approach God’s throne with prayer and fasting. I think that fasting knocks us off of our own “high horse”, and puts us right where we really belong; at the foot of God’s throne. God doesn’t lead us to fast to punish us, or frighten us. I don’t believe he wants us to fast out of fear. It is my conviction that God desires our hearts and knows that when we give up something as essential as food in his name, our hearts will move toward him. We will voluntarily place ourselves in submission to him for our everything. It is in fasting that I better understand the words of Deuteronomy 8:3 – “. . man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD”
Stuart
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