Creatures of Habit: FastingMuestra

Fasting: The Humility of the Habit 

The people were in trouble and not just a little. Their lives were on the line. In the book of Esther, we read that annihilation was imminent for the Jewish people. Over one hundred years after the exile, much of the Jewish nation remained in Babylon. A Babylonian noble named Haman had his ego insulted by a Jewish man named Mordecai. Distraught, Haman crafted a plan of revenge to ensure the destruction of the Jewish remnant within the empire and slyly convinced the king to agree. 

In the midst of this, we meet Esther. She was not only the newlywed queen of the Babylonian empire, but she was also a Jew (though her king did not know it). Mordecai appealed to his royal cousin Esther for assistance. Surely, she could save their people. Initially, Esther was reluctant - to go before the king without being summoned could lead to death! Yet, she knew her fate was the same whether she was put to death by Haman’s plot or by the king. 

“Go gather all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:15-16).

Before she took any other action, her first step was to fast. Everything was on the line, and she knew she needed help! We look at Esther and are reminded that fasting is more than just curbing our fleshly appetites. It is more than experiencing hunger pangs. 

Fasting is a physical expression of our desperate need for God. 

Esther was not trying to fast to earn God’s favor or blessing. She fasted because she was desperate for deliverance. Pride says we are self-sufficient. Pride says we are capable. Pride says we are able. Humility acknowledges that we are limited. Humility knows that we are not in control. Humility asks for help. Fasting is a humble expression of our great need for a great God.

• What do you need that only God can accomplish?
• Have you been prideful or humble in this need?

Today, read Esther 4:12-17 or the whole story if you have time!