What Is the Purpose of Fasting?Sample

Fasting to humble yourself before the Lord

When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. (Psalm 69:10)

In Psalm 69, David tells us that he humbled his soul by fasting. This is one of the most important reasons why one should fast. By fasting, you humble yourself before the Lord. You confess that you are sinful and in need of God’s help. You acknowledge that you are nothing compared to the perfect God of the universe. When you know you have failed and are in need of God’s mercy, fasting is a means to show you’re truly sorry for what you have done.

This is what the Ninevites did after Jonah’s preaching and what the Israelites did when Samuel confronted them about their idolatry. Through fasting, you humble yourself before the Lord. Don’t worry about what others might think. David was even ridiculed for it. But God sees your heart and He delights in your humility.

Listen to what the book of James has to say: “Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Are you living by this verse today?