Fasting: Self-Imposed Mourning
Posted on March 21, 2006
It makes sense when I think about it, but just hearing the pastor say it on Sunday was just what I needed to hear.
When, in the OT, the children heard they had sinned against almighty God, they tore their clothes, put sackcloth and ashes on and fasted. They were in mourning.
They realized they had sinned against God.
Our sin does not often grip us this way, does it? Have you ever been so hurt by someone you could barely function? It hurt like a knife and the response was a glib "Sorry." As if you should get over it -- it wasn't that bad.
Does our repentence reflect our sorrow at grieving God? He was beat, mocked, spit upon, and crucified for those very sins we utter a weak "Sorry," for with a shrug of the shoulders.
If I am struggling with a besetting sin, I should be in a self-imposed mourning. Pray that God would grant me repentence and allow me to hate my sin as He does.
Well, I am struggling with gaining freedom from a besetting sin. I struggle with indulging my flesh. My flesh thinks it needs fast food. Quick, easy, greasy. Pretty much how I like it. My flesh wants to indulge because it tastes good (and it does, thank the Lord), but I'm called to crucify my flesh and enjoy food without making my appetite my god.
Our pastor also said that often, we're only doing one part of the equation to rid ourselves of sin. The promise is "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
Some of us are submitting to God but not resisting (I have to offer an embarrassing head-nod to this one); some of us are resisting, but not submitting (leading us to ultimate failure). We have to do both to get the devil to flee.
I'm using the workbook from "Setting Captives Free: The Lord's Table," and I do recommend it. The free study can be found at their site: Setting Captives Free.
I thank the Lord for His great mercy to me.
When, in the OT, the children heard they had sinned against almighty God, they tore their clothes, put sackcloth and ashes on and fasted. They were in mourning.
They realized they had sinned against God.
Our sin does not often grip us this way, does it? Have you ever been so hurt by someone you could barely function? It hurt like a knife and the response was a glib "Sorry." As if you should get over it -- it wasn't that bad.
Does our repentence reflect our sorrow at grieving God? He was beat, mocked, spit upon, and crucified for those very sins we utter a weak "Sorry," for with a shrug of the shoulders.
If I am struggling with a besetting sin, I should be in a self-imposed mourning. Pray that God would grant me repentence and allow me to hate my sin as He does.
Well, I am struggling with gaining freedom from a besetting sin. I struggle with indulging my flesh. My flesh thinks it needs fast food. Quick, easy, greasy. Pretty much how I like it. My flesh wants to indulge because it tastes good (and it does, thank the Lord), but I'm called to crucify my flesh and enjoy food without making my appetite my god.
Our pastor also said that often, we're only doing one part of the equation to rid ourselves of sin. The promise is "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
Some of us are submitting to God but not resisting (I have to offer an embarrassing head-nod to this one); some of us are resisting, but not submitting (leading us to ultimate failure). We have to do both to get the devil to flee.
I'm using the workbook from "Setting Captives Free: The Lord's Table," and I do recommend it. The free study can be found at their site: Setting Captives Free.
I thank the Lord for His great mercy to me.
Comments from our visitors...
Great reminder, Shellie!
Posted at 8:58 PM on March 21, 2006 by redmom
And thanks for the compliment on my blog. You were the inspiration. I figured I could find something at least MORE me! lol I do like this one. Not sure it's finished, but much better than those birds! (Still love yours)
Moving
Posted at 5:12 PM on March 24, 2006 by HomeForHim
Thank you Shellie for the moving thoughts on mourning our sin...it truly moved my spirit. A verse that has always spoken to me in this area is Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." One of my prayers when I am in the midst of battling a besetting sin is that God would simply break me...I pray for a contrite spirit. Sometimes, I know that that's the only way He can get to this stubborn head of mine. Believe me, it's not fun. Like a bull-headed mule, I've had to be broken many a times, I'm sorry to say. The "up" side of it....He loves me right through it. And every time, I learn more about His unconditional love, and I learn to walk closer to Him than before.
I've enjoyed your blog!! I can tell we are kindred spirits!! I'm looking forward to reading more. Put me on your friends list...I'll add you to mine. =]
Home For Him,
Deborah
I've enjoyed your blog!! I can tell we are kindred spirits!! I'm looking forward to reading more. Put me on your friends list...I'll add you to mine. =]
Home For Him,
Deborah
Thank you Deborah
Posted at 11:15 PM on March 24, 2006 by shellie
Isn't it the truth?!? I have often said that I thank God He doesn't work on my every fault at once because I would be a broken, broken woman. His timing is perfect.
Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
So true -- I also pray he will renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
So true -- I also pray he will renew a right spirit within me.