June 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

You don't hear much about fasting these days, except from those who are on a diet. People on a diet fast for health reasons or perhaps in order to be seen by others.

Other forms of fasting are intended as a protest against injustice. The avowed purpose is publicity. Secrecy would spoil it. This fasting has no religious goal.

In the Old Testament, God prescribed fasting for a few occasions. But in the New Testament period, we are not bound by these "ceremonial laws." Nevertheless, fasting did play a role in the life of Jesus and in the religious experience of the early church. The Bible always assumes that those who take their relationship to God seriously will fast in some form.

Fasting is the denial of legitimate things for the purpose of religious concentration. The Bible does not prescribe it, and churches may not prescribe it. If it is not done voluntarily and without attracting attention, it loses its value.

There is always reason in the church to warn against asceticism. Watch out whenever people are afraid to enjoy what God has given us to enjoy. The gospel of grace may be in danger.

But there is also reason to warn against a spiritual laziness, an obesity and sluggishness that can afflict Christians. Christians on the North American continent are too preoccupied with food and drink and clothes; they are too much distracted by sports and games and all their "recreation." We must deny the temporary gifts voluntarily in order to be richer in faith and hope and love.

Nobody may ask for anything beyond what the Lord has commanded. But in a time of indulgence there is reason to suggest that we receive too little from heaven because we give up too little on earth.

REFLECTIONS

Have you ever considered fasting as a spiritual discipline? Why or why not?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.