NT24 FastSample

Day 16 by Autumn Williams, Global Director of UPPERROOM

Today’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy 1-3

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power” (2 Thes. 1:11)

We are about ⅔ through this New Testament journey together, and you may, like me, feel like you’re trying to drink from a fire hydrant. I typically take time to study a chapter, read passages in various translations, meditate, and pray about a specific scripture. The speed at which we are reading large chunks of the Bible is different from my norm, and if I struggle to remember what I read, it causes me to question if I’m even absorbing it.

But the very act of fasting and being outside of my norm supplies constant reminders of my insufficiencies and immense need for God. The Spirit is my source–not my own good intentions or personal discipline.

In John 14, when Jesus told His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Helper, He said, “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (Insert a sigh of relief!) I cannot force all the benefits of fasting or remember everything I am reading, BUT I can surrender to His perfect supply, my daily bread. I simply have to ask for and submit to the teaching of the Holy Spirit as I read the Word and trust Him to bring it to my remembrance every moment I need it.

Similarly, 2 Thes. 1:11 is a reminder that our resolve for good and every work of faith is only accomplished by the power of God. We are incapable of good apart from Him, and so He generously supplies us with the Spirit to help us, empower us, and produce fruit in our lives. Your resolve in this fast–to feast on the Lord, to consecrate this new year to Him, to endure and end well–is only possible by His power within you. And if one of His names is ALMIGHTY God, I believe His power is really powerful.

Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for filling me with Your power. I repent for any striving toward righteousness on my own insufficient strength. In my weakness, I receive Your power at work in me and commit again today to need and depend on You. Thank you, Lord, for supplying the Helper to me today, providing me with everything I need for life and godliness.