The Price for Power (III)

 “Say to God, ‘How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.’” (Psalm 66:3, New King James Version).

This is the key Bible verse for the “Come and See” devotional today.

We learned from the second part of this series of devotionals that power is manifested through the presence of the Almighty God. Through holiness, we can secure His presence so that His power can flow through us. Note that power should not be confused with gifts. Unlike power, a gift cannot be withdrawn once it is given.  The Sovereign Lord can decide to leave any person or place when these are no longer suitable for His holy nature. He stays with us for as long as we choose to live in holiness.

Let us consider another routine but vital sacrifice that we need to make to assess this much-needed power of God: this is the spiritual exercise of prayer and fasting. In Isaiah 58:6 (Amplified Bible) we read: “(rather) is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every (enslaving) yoke?”  We cannot break free from any entanglement of wickedness without applying a considerable amount of [divine] force. Force is the only language the devil understands.

Matthew 17 describes the frustration of the disciples of Jesus Christ when a man brought his epileptic son to be healed. Later and in confidence they asked Jesus Christ why they could not help. Jesus did not downplay the significance of faith but said: “however, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21, New King James Version).

During the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, there was apparently no occasion when any of His disciples fasted. When He asked them to pray for an hour at Gethsemane, they slept instead. However, after His departure, prayer and fasting became their habitual practice. Apostle Paul later narrated his trial as follows: “in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:27, New King James Version). Fasting can release the awe-inspiring power of the Almighty God into our lives.

Fasting is a conscious self-denial of anything that gives us pleasure and this term includes food, water or liquid, as well as anything else that gives pleasure. Isaiah 58:7 (New King James Version) states: “is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Whenever dark clouds appear in our lives or we feel spiritually empty, then we must add fasting to our prayers! For consistency and sensitivity, every child of God ought to fast at least twice a week. These were the words of a particular Pharisee (TEACHER OF THE LAW) to Jesus Christ: “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:12, New King James Version).

Let us pray: “Father, may I receive grace to fulfil divine conditions required to assess your unfailing power,“ in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

This message was brought to you by Evangelical Ministries International (EMI). We know this message has been a blessing to you. Please share your testimonies with us by visiting our website www.evangelicalministries.org or contact us on info@evangelicalministries.org. God bless you!