John,
This past Saturday, I had Faith on my mind, like we all did! I was thinking about how Luis was fasting and praying for Faith. The verse, “this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting,” came to mind, so I went and read in Matthew 17 where that verse is found. It is the story where Jesus casts the demon out of the epileptic man after the disciples were unable to do it.
This morning, I was led to read the Thought for the Morning (3-30) which was a question, “How is the fasting that Jesus accepts?” (https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_thoughts.html?tname=tfm03-30) You responded that fasting is in the Spirit, and when fasting is done physically, oftentimes, it is for show or purely in the flesh. In the response, you also referenced the story that I mentioned above in Matthew 17. You also mentioned that the kind of fasting that Jesus accepts is in Isaiah 58.
After reading the Thought for the Morning about fasting, I went on to read Isaiah 58. I knew that you always taught us that is where the true fast is described. I began to read Isaiah 58 and started to read it as a checklist. What is it that we haven’t done that could help bring about Faith’s healing? I know that we have asked that question as a body, “God, what is it that you want us to do? or change? or not do?” After describing the true fast in verse 8, it says “Then shall your light break forth as the dawn, and your healing shall spring forth quickly…” And in verse 9, “Then you shall call and Jehovah will answer. You shall cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am!’ – if you do these things: put away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, provide freely for the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul.”
Many times throughout this chapter, it speaks of the “yoke”. I see that as something that is oppressive, correct? For example, the ceremonies that you would find in Christianity. I feel like we have “put away” those yokes from the midst of us. What other things are considered “yokes”?
I don’t know what else it is that I am asking, except to tell you the rabbit holes that Jesus has led me through the past couple of days. I just felt that it was the right thing to write my thoughts and questions to you. I know that we all have been searching for answers concerning Faith’s healing. We all want her made completely whole!
Love,
Carrie
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Hi Carrie,
The yoke to which Isaiah refers is one’s will, which self-willed people would place around the necks of others so that they do what they want those folk to do. Part of the true fast is to refrain from doing that. Some people are accomplished at manipulating others to do their will, and they are miserable if others do not do what they want them to do. But if you maintain peace in your soul even when others, especially those you love, do not do as you know that God wants – and you want – them to do, then you are fasting from something God wants you to fast from: self-will.
Those who walk in the Spirit allow others the same liberty that Christ allows us all: the liberty to choose to be wrong and to do wrong if that is what we want (but there will be consequences). Jesus said his yoke was easy and his burden, light, and he invites us to put that precious yoke around our necks. He does not force us to do so, but if we do take that yoke upon us, he gives us his peace and makes us happy.
I hope that answers your question.
Pastor John
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Yes, this was helpful! Thank you! The way that the Bible verses and Thought for the Morning lined up, I could feel there was gold in this. I needed your help to find it!
I loved what you said this morning, too, about how this also applies to our relationship between God and us. Do we want our way more than we want God’s way? Can we stay happy and have peace if things don’t go the way that we think they should go? Can we trust God that He has our best in mind? It is all for our good!
I also loved what you said about having an attitude of a servant. The servant’s only concern is what the master wants or thinks. We can’t even squabble with other servants about what they think. It is ALL about the Master.
Carrie
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Pastor John
I love this so much. Jesus and I have been talking about this recently. I had to stop the other day and wonder out loud to him why I feel such peace right now. I almost feel lifted out of myself. Jesus told me it’s because I trust him now.
I actually had to pause and think about whether that was true when he said it. I told Jesus I didn’t even know when that happened. And I also know he did it. Somewhere in the middle of me worrying myself to death, Jesus fixed something in me that has been broken since childhood — and I didn’t even know he did it.
I don’t know what Jesus is going to do for Jerry, for Faith, or for any of us, but I do know this: I have an incredible peace inside, and I trust Him. I trust Jesus with all of it.
Love,
Beth