Author: Beth Morrison

TWo-minute read.

“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,”

Psalm 35:13

Unreliable friends.

David discovers the people whom he fasted and prayed for betrayed him.  They expressed anger towards the king, using false witnesses to accuse and slander him.  Seeking God’s justice, David feels far from the Lord.  Why doesn’t God do something about this situation, the Psalmist pleads.  Waiting desperately for God’s mercy, David will proclaim the Lord’s mighty works once God shows him mercy.

Praying for those who don’t appreciate it hurts.  No one likes false tales about them, yet people do it daily.  Thinking they know the whole story, people fill in the blanks with lies, as they did with David. Not feeling God’s immediate assistance, David pleads desperately for the Lord to intervene.

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8-9 NLT

A man after God’s heart, David remained obedient amid his struggles, fasting and praying for the Lord’s intervention.  Jesus learned obedience from His sufferings, and so do we.  Trusting God during the raging storms of life and persevering on the right path when our human tendencies war against us develops obedience.  We find victory as we take one step at a time, faithfully obeying the Lord’s commands.

Everyone falls short of the mark.  Sometimes, people call me an unreliable friend because I didn’t meet their expectations.  We live for the expectations of the Lord, not others.  Only Jesus lived a perfect life; no one else did.  If we did everything right, we wouldn’t need a Savior.  But we need Jesus because human nature sometimes gets the best of us.  And so we seek God for help, confessing our sins and asking for His divine intervention.

When the Lord moves, He moves.  Whatever struggles we have, God helps us overcome, one way or another.  But until then, we must stay the course.  Fasting and prayer help strengthen us, drawing us closer to God and tapping into His divine power.  Don’t give up hope; God will deliver you from the storm in His time and way.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What steps of obedience do I need to take today?
• How can I persevere with fasting and prayer?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for helping us persevere when falsely accused. Strengthen us for the journey, calm our anxious hearts in the storm, and allow us to find Your peace that surpasses all understanding.  As we accept the things we cannot change and change the things we can, let us honor You in all we do.  IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

“Sabbath is a day to refresh your soul and find strength for the week ahead.”

Anonymous

Sacred assembly.

Another Sunday, another opportunity to rest and refresh for the week ahead. Starting the next seven days by assembling with other believers will invigorate you. Taking time to worship God in a corporate setting helps all who attend. Sharing our faith by publicly gathering together encourages others to do the same. Spending time singing, praying, and learning about the Lord on Sundays will help us persevere through the trials of the coming week.

Everyone endures hardships. Life without trials doesn’t happen. Through our struggles, we learn obedience, not through our joys. Clinging to the Lord when life overwhelms us and obeying His commands despite our feelings will help us find victory. Declare today a day of sacred assembly, join with other Christ followers, and find encouragement for your journey as you rest from your worries, giving them to God and trusting Him for victory.

Two-minute read.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:20-21 KJV

 

Little faith.

After trying unsuccessfully to drive a demon out of a man, the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn’t perform the miracle. Christ responds, “Because of your unbelief.”  The disciple’s little faith prevented them from driving out the demon. Not all translations include verse 21. 

How often does our “little faith” stop us from seeing God’s miraculous events? At the beginning of the year, I began volunteering on the prayer team of an international organization that partners with churches worldwide to help spread the Gospel. At my first meeting, we had a praise report from a pastor in the Middle East. 

“Will you believe in Jesus when he heals you?” the pastor boldly asked the Muslim man who had skin cancer.

“Sure, but I don’t think it will work.”

As the pastor began praying, the cancerous spots started to disappear; by the time he finished, no more cancer remained. The man immediately gave his life to Christ and began a new journey.

Ever since the meeting, I’ve thought about our limited faith in America. The land of plenty doesn’t leave us wanting much. The disciples got used to working miracles, treating it like a bestowed power from God. However, when put to the test, it showed their weak faith. In the U.S., we have human answers readily available for most of our issues, turning to them instead of divine power and trusting man over God.

Fasting and prayer connect us to the Lord, reminding us of His divine presence. Denying ourselves and trusting God’s provision builds our faith and gives us direction we can find no other way. Miracles happen when we trust Jesus, follow His leading, and tap into His power. Some of the most miraculous events happen in ourselves as Christ transforms our lives, making us more like Him.

With faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Impossibility doesn’t exist in God’s vocabulary; with the Lord, anything can happen. But without faith, nothing will change. The Lord doesn’t expect us to understand everything He does, but God does want us to believe He can do it, whatever the situation. Allow the Miracle Maker to work in your life. Draw closer to God through fasting and prayer, access His divine power, and wait to see the miracles the Lord will perform.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What area do you have little faith in today?
• How can fasting and prayer help you have more faith?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for not having enough faith. As we fast and pray, encourage our trust in You, and help us believe in miracles as You transform our lives. Don’t allow the overflow of blessings in our world to stop us from relying on You. Please help us live life to the fullest as we try to obey and follow You to the best of our ability. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'”

Luke 18:12

Humble exaltation.

Standing by himself, the Pharisee prayed boldly to the Lord, telling God all his accomplishments:

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 

Standing off to the side, a tax collector stood beating his breast, begging God for mercy because of his sinful nature. Pharisees saw themselves as separate from the ordinary, with piety as their calling card. Defined as “the quality of being religious or reverent’ [1], pious people have a high opinion of themselves, just as this Pharisee did. 

“For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:11

God doesn’t show partiality. The Pharisee’s actions didn’t make him better than the tax collector. Nor did his bragging. The tax collector reflected God’s heart, not the Pharisee. 

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:16

Jesus told us how to fast, not like the Pharisee, but like the tax collector. God exalts the humble when they submit their will to His. The religious leader acted like a hypocrite, making a show of his fasting, exhorting himself to anyone who would listen. But the tax collector stood to the side in humiliation for his sin, too humbled to even lift his eyes heavenward.

Truly accepting our sinful nature will change our attitude. Understanding we all fall short of perfection and accepting that fact affects our heart’s posture. Instead of puffing ourselves up, we admit our sins and humble ourselves before the Lord. Accepting God’s mercy gives us new life, strengthens our walk, and helps us persevere during life’s trials.

As you fast and pray, come to the Lord with a repentant heart, asking for His grace and mercy. Accept God’s love, allowing it to pour into your heart and give you a fresh start on the day. Put yesterday’s sins behind you, confessing them and letting them go. Begin again with a clean slate, trusting the Lord’s guidance as you move into the unknown.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• Describe your heart posture today; which does it reflect, the Pharisees or the tax collector?
• What steps can you take to develop a humble attitude?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for loving us equally. Forgive us for making a show out of our prayer and fasting. As we align our hearts with Yours, help us accept and confess our imperfections to You.  Renew our spirits, strengthen our faith, bless our fasting and prayers as we submit our lives to You.  IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/piety

Two-minute read.

 “And then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

Luke 2:37

Steadfast faith.

Anna lived at the Temple after her husband of seven years died. With no known family or children, she most likely relied on the charity of others to survive. Despite life’s difficulties, she remained faithful to the Lord. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple for purification according to the Mosiac Law, the prophetess recognized the Messiah.

“And coming up at that very hour, she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:28

Immediately upon recognizing Jesus, Anna began sharing the good news about Jerusalem’s redemption through Christ. When we meet Jesus, we can’t help but share what we find. Transformational faith frees us from the bondage of sin and gives us a new life filled with different choices and second chances. The change within our spirit causes us to want everyone to experience the unconditional love, grace, and mercy God offers.

The old widow spent decades fasting and praying at the Temple, her steadfast faithfulness rewarded by meeting Jesus in the flesh. Who knows the lives she touched for the Kingdom because of her unwavering faith and disciplined lifestyle? Instead of wallowing in her pain, Anna gave it to the Lord, dedicating her life to Him. She spent more time widowed than married; God met all her needs as she devoted her life to Him.

God never leaves us nor forsakes us. In our darkest moments, He holds us in the palm of His hand. Fasting and praying help strengthen our connections with the Almighty, opening our hearts to His desires and aligning our will with His. Often, we don’t understand God’s work, but we trust its goodness. Someday, we will see the whole picture, but until then, faith helps us persevere.

When Anna suffered loss, she went to her Creator for comfort. Under life’s shifting sands, we can stand firmly on the Rock. Change happens every day, whether we like it or not. Today may seem like yesterday, but they differ. Standing on God’s firm foundation helps us embrace life’s constant change. Like Anna, we can find comfort in the arms of the Savior, placing our trust in Him.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What area of hurt do I need to give to the Lord today?
• How can I proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for never leaving nor forsaking us. As we fast and pray, seeking You, let us feel Your firm foundation in our lives. As life’s changes swirl around us, let us feel grounded in You.  Help us persevere through the day’s challenges, knowing You have a good plan for our lives, and with each day that passes, it unfolds. Help us live life fully and completely in You.  IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.”

Psalm 69:10

Devouring flame.

Desperation pours from David’s prayers, praying, and fasting; the king needs help. The shepherd boy from long ago knew precisely where to get assistance. Accused of mishandling church funds, he experienced ex-communication. David’s actions and zeal for serving the Lord didn’t make sense to the people. And so they made something up:

“What I did not steal must I now restore?” Psalm 69:4

Researching today’s verse, the commentary on David mishandling church funds shocked me. But people making up lies because they don’t understand someone’s actions for the Lord doesn’t. When God designed us, He gave us a desire to know. Eve bit into the apple because she wanted the Lord’s knowledge:

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Designed with a desire for knowledge, if people don’t know something, they will make it up. When I moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania, people didn’t understand why I did it. Rumors swirled around me, and I didn’t know it. When they started to come to light, it hurt me deeply. Words hurt more than people think they do.

In David’s desperation, he fasted and prayed to God for help. Trusting the Lord’s timing, David waited for deliverance from his enemies. The king’s faith didn’t waver, even under shunning and false accusations. David kept his eyes on God and used fasting and prayer to help him. 

“Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.” Psalm 69:16

God’s abundant mercy hears our prayers. I don’t know all the details of David’s false accusations, but I know that even if he had committed fraud and turned to the Lord in repentance, God would forgive him. David would face consequences for his actions, but the Lord still loved him.

And God loves each of us, no matter what sins lie in our past. The Lord’s abundant mercy knows no bounds when we place our faith in Him. Fasting and prayer help us discover God’s abundant grace. Seek a deeper relationship with your Creator, and you will find one.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How have you handled false accusations in the past?
• How can you apply fasting and prayer to your current situation?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for having abundant mercy and grace for us. Forgive us our sinful ways. Guide and direct us on the path of righteousness, one step at a time. When life presses in on us, please help us keep breathing, practicing calm in the storm. Bend Your ear to hear our prayers, encourage us through Your Spirit, and allow us to persevere through the trials of life. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Go, gather together 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 4:16

Brave petition.

Esther comes to a pivotal historical moment through extraordinary circumstances: will she risk her life for her people?

Born a young Jewish girl, King Xerxes chose her as his wife from a plethora of young women. Also known as King Ahasuerus, historians debate the truth of the tale. Biblical history records Esther as niece to Mordecai, Queen of Persia, and heroine to her country. When Haman, principal minister to the king, orders a decree to kill all the Jews, Mordecai begs Esther to intervene.

Esther had a problem. The king hadn’t called her to him in quite some time. You could only enter the king’s presence when he summoned. If you went to the king without an invitation, and he didn’t hold out his golden scepter, inviting you to speak, you would die at the hands of his soldiers. A woman of wisdom, Esther sought help from the Lord, fasting and praying, asking the people to do the same.

At the end of the three days, the queen approached the King, and he held out his scepter to her. When Xerxes asked Esther what she wanted, the queen invited him to dinner. The king has an interesting dream that leads to a life change for Mordecai. Eventually, Haman’s plan gets exposed. And Esther saves the Jewish nation. 

Esther shows us what to do when life gets tough: seek God.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

If Esther didn’t take this chance, she knew God would still save the Jews, but her family would perish. When the Lord calls, we must answer quickly. Wherever God takes You, He’ll provide the way. But if we don’t go, we can’t blame the Lord; He gives us free will. We have a choice of who to follow. Esther chose wisely, and so can we. Just follow the Lord; He’ll do the rest.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How has God put you in a unique position to serve Him?
• What door do you want God to open for you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Esther as an example of how to handle difficult situations. As we fast and pray, strengthen us for the divine task You have for us. Open the door for victory as we submit our lives to You.  Let us face our challenges like Esther, with You leading the way. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”

Daniel 10:3

God answers.

Daniel, a servant of the Lord, entirely devoted to his heavenly Father, has a vision about a “great war” that would harm God’s people. So distressed by the revelation, Daniel immediately begins to fast and pray for his people, not eating anything but fruits and vegetables. Intense supplication and prayer brought forth an immediate answer from God, but Daniel didn’t receive it until three weeks later.

Standing by the Tigris River with his companions, an angel appeared to Daniel. Dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist, Daniel’s friends couldn’t see the angel but sensed his presence, fleeing in terror. Daniel swooned when he heard the angel’s message, but one touch from the heavenly being restored him. Assuring Daniel of God’s love and concern for his people. Although hard to understand, the angel’s message eventually proved amazingly accurate.

“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”  Daniel 10:12-14

Check out what happened when Daniel began to pray, humbling himself before the Lord.  God sent an immediate answer, but the Devil fought the delivery. For twenty-one days, the angel battled and only won when the archangel Michael came to help. Spiritual battles rage around us. Satan doesn’t want us receiving the answers to our prayers and will do anything to stop them, but he always loses.

God answers our prayers; sometimes, the Devil delays the response. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, submitting our will to His, God listens. Bending down to us, with love in His eyes, our Creator cares about us. Often, we lose heart because we don’t think our heavenly Father hears our prayers, but Daniel’s experience reminds us about the spiritual battle.

Whatever prayer you pray, wait expectantly for the answer. In due time, you’ll receive a response. God hears, and He always answers.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What answer seems delayed to you?
• How do you envision spiritual warfare?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for answering our prayers. As we wait for Your response, let us do so well. Please give us the tools we need to persevere in the waiting. Strengthen our hearts and minds as we place our faith in You.  As we pursue You wholeheartedly, let others see Your light shining through us, encouraging them on their journey. In all things, we give You the glory. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.”
― Elisabeth Elliot, Discipline: The Glad Surrender

Find rest as we enter another Sabbath day. Praise God for the work He gave you this past week, and enjoy rest. Elisabeth Elliot wisely points out that if we didn’t have work, we couldn’t enjoy rest. We enjoy life’s experiences because we have opposites. Without bad days, we wouldn’t appreciate good ones. Without struggles, we wouldn’t appreciate peace. Without work, we wouldn’t appreciate rest.

Lavish in rest today. Spend time with your Maker and allow Him to re-energize your soul. Attend a local church service where you can interact with other believers and let them encourage you on the journey. Spend time reading scripture, asking God to open your eyes to its meaning and tell you how to apply it to your life. Rest in the Lord’s sovereignty and place your problems at the foot of the Cross. Trust God’s plan as you relinquish control to Him, finding rest.

Two-minute read.

“Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?”

Joel 2:14

Gracious provision.

Continuing from yesterday’s verses, Joel continues his plea for repentance, sharing God’s concern for his people. The prophet highlights the Lord’s mercy, reminding the people of His compassion for their needs and the redemptive grace He offers. None of us can meet the Lord’s standards because of our imperfections. Repenting gives us access to God’s gracious provision not to receive His judgment. If we don’t acknowledge the Lord, we can’t receive what He has to offer.

Joel points out that no one knows what God will do if we repent. When I finally gave that part of my heart to God that desired marriage, I gained His peace in that area of my life. No matter what happened to me, I knew the Lord would provide. In my soul, God transformed me, creating a new response to a chronic issue for me. “God’s the best husband I can have,” I told people. John’s words took on new meaning for me:

“For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b

Giving my desire for marriage to the Lord gave me access to His gracious provision like never before. From within my soul, I knew He would care for me, husband, or no husband. And for the first time, I felt good about my singleness. Then I met and married Ron, God’s gift from above that I cherish daily.

We don’t know what the Lord will do when we turn back to Him, confessing our sins and giving Him our hearts. After a lifetime of following Jesus, I can say this: God will amaze you when you sincerely repent and return to Him. Each day, I do it again. Every day, I sin, and every day I repent. The closer to the Lord I grow, the more sensitive my spirit comes to my sin. Errant thoughts constantly keep me busy repenting and returning. Emotional reactions give me a reason to confess. Human nature comes with sin, a fact we all share. But thankfully, we have a gracious provider! 

Repent, turn back towards your Creator. Tell Him your flaws, reveal to Him your desires, and draw closer to the One who loves you more than any other.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What part of your heart do you need to give to God today?
• How has God graciously provided for you?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father and Gracious Provider, thank you for your unconditional love, never-ending mercy, and continuing grace. Thank You for giving us a way to pick ourselves back up and try again.    Please help us keep soft hearts, not allowing the pains of this world to harden them. Please give us the courage to move forward, doing the work necessary to become healthy and whole. Help us become unstuck. IJNIP. Amen