In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-three, God looks favorably on a people who humbly and earnestly fast and petition Him about a matter, as in Nehemiah one, verse four. Just as God responded favorably to Ezra’s request, He will honor all with sincere hearts and seek Him in prayer and fasting.
Ezra procured Levites to go with him, but what will that avail unless he have God with him? Those who seek God are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in danger. However, those who forsake him are exposed. When entering upon any new state of life, our care should be to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, knowing nothing can do any real hurt. All our concerns about ourselves, our families, and our estates is our wisdom and duty by prayer to commit to God and leave the cares with him.
And, on some occasions, we should decline advantages that are within our reach, lest we cause others to stumble, and so our God be dishonored. Let us ask the wisdom of God that we may know how to use or refuse lawful things. We shall be no losers by venturing, suffering, or giving up, Lord’s sake. Their answer to prayer and the event declared it. Never have any that sought God in earnest found that they sought him in vain. In times of difficulty and danger, to set a season apart for secret or social prayer, is the best method for relief we can take.
Today, some people do fasting for the wrong reasons. Today, many Christians may fast to gain something physically. However, the purpose of fasting is to build the inner person spiritually. To be closely connected to God. God is a spirit.
For believers to draw closer to the Father will be a spiritual connection, not a physical one. Some think fasting is to gain finances, or receive some monetary blessing. Yes, believers will receive a blessing, but in a spiritual sense. The purpose of fasting is to allow our inner person to rise and lead. However, most of us have the flesh leading instead of their spirit.