THE FAST OF THE HEART
Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the Lord’s command? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams. ~I Samuel 15:22-24
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CONSIDER
The Church has given us the grace of the lenten fast in the pattern of Jesus’s 40-day fast in the wilderness, but in reality, we are to fast daily because fasting, first and foremost, is a fast of the heart. Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, reprimanded King Saul for his half-heartedness in obedience to the Lord’s command concerning the battle of the Amalekites. (The Amalekites were the archenemies of Israel; it’s a fascinating story, worth your time and attention!) The takeaway for us is this: the Lord is much more interested in a continual sacrifice of our hearts than he is with us sacrificing from our appetite for 40 days.
When Samuel confronted Saul about his half-hearted obedience to the Lord’s command, he confronted the stubbornness of Saul’s heart. Saul was duplicitous, deceitful, and power-hungry for recognition and fame; there wasn’t a ram anywhere that could atone for that if Saul wouldn’t have a change of heart. What about us, friends? What niches of our heart do we ignore while we “clothe ourselves in ashes?” Jealousy, resentment, pride, fear, anger…..OH! We could make long lists, couldn’t we? This lenten fast, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to “wholeheartedness.”
PRAY
Holy God, Your Word declares that if I come before you wholeheartedly, you will deliver me from my enemies—even my frenemies of vice! You search and know me fully and how I fixate my heart on my desire to be noticed and approved by others more than I desire to be wholly acceptable in your eyes. I really don’t like that about myself; please forgive me, Lord. Why do I fight against your will when I know it is perfectly designed for me as your beloved child?
Father, grant me the fortitude of a willing spirit; purge me of apathy! Grant me a forgiving heart free of bitterness and resentment; purge me of pettiness and self-righteousness. May my sacrifice this lenten fast be a contrite spirit, for a contrite and humble spirit, O God, you will not spurn.
Amen
(Adapted prayer from 1 Samuel 7:3; Deuteronomy 10:12; 2 Maccabees 1:3-4; Jeremiah 24:7; Joel 2:12-13; Psalm 51)
~I am a freelance writer. This post first appeared in a periodical.
The Maiden Warrior 