Have you ever been out in the sun for so long that when you finally stepped inside, the entire room looked overwhelmingly dark? It’s called Scotopic Adaptation. Darkness becomes strange when we're flooded with light. God doesn’t have problems blessing us, but not this version of us. Therefore, we must come up hither (Rev. 4:1).

“We command you in the name of Jesus, come out!” After failed attempts, Jesus’ disciples asked, “Why couldn’t we cast him out?” Jesus replied, “Because of your unbelief”. These were the same men who exclaimed, “Even devils were subject to us in your name” (Lk. 10:17). Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Something was wrong with their energy level thus the purpose for spiritual renewal.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” – Isa. 40:31. At new birth we become a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), but to keep new there's need for spiritual renewal. Fasting itself directly does not renew strength; it is the Lord that renews our strength as we fellowship (Psa. 84:7). Else, we’ll simply be embarking on weight loss. Neither does fasting directly help in finding God; He’s not lost, but like noise-cancellation, it silences the voice of the flesh.

Amongst the fringe benefits of fasting is unhindered access to God’s presence which strengthens us spirit, soul and body. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am" – Isa. 58:8-9.

“He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him”. Fasting is not meant to be observed annually or seasonally, like Jesus, we are called to embrace a fasted life—a lifestyle of self-denial, and spiritual indulgence.

Continued...