Title: The 2 Most Blessed Postures
1. Attitude to give heart
At the beginning of September in the 4th year of King Darius, a Bethelite asked the priests and prophets (verse 3). “Shall we weep in May as we have been doing for years?” At that time, the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon and set up a ritual. The ceremony was a ceremony of fasting of repentance in the spirit of taking a bath in May. The question is whether the ritual should be continued even after returning from the Babylonian captivity. At that time, God says that the fasting itself is not important, but the heart of the fasting person (verses 5-6).
God wants a heart that only looks at God. People usually fast when they encounter a difficult problem, but rather than fasting that focuses on ‘solving problems’, you should do a fast that focuses on ‘looking only at God’. If you look at people who fast, there are many cases where they are not interested in giving their heart, but only in solving problems. God rebuked such a fast by saying, “Did that fast work for me?”
Don't make this fast. First, you should not fast out of anger over your miserable situation. Second, fasting should not be a tool to boast of one's faith. Third, fasting should not be an instrument for fulfilling one's spiritual satisfaction. Fourth, fasting should not be regarded as a magic tool to solve problems. Fasting is the determination to kill one's desires and wait for only God to die, no matter what God does.
The same goes for worship. The heart of the worshiper is more important than the form of worship. In ancient times, the ancestors said that the true form of a worshiper is to be immersed in God enough to remain still even if stung by bees during worship. Worshiping, praying, and fasting for yourself is not a blessed attitude. When you make the time for worship, prayer, and fasting as a time when you disappear and only God stands out, God accepts the worship, prayer, and fast and allows you to do good things.
2. Attitude to listen to the Word
God prefers obedience to God's Word rather than the ritual of fasting (v. 7). Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hear is better than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22). Even the Old Testament, which emphasized religious rituals, emphasizes the importance of obedience, but the importance of obedience to New Testament believers who value faith cannot be overemphasized. God values obedience even one word more than fasting for one more day.
Why do you fast? It's about letting go of your attachment to money and fame, and forgetting hate, selfishness, and bitterness. However, if you continue to have anger and hatred while fasting, that fast becomes a fast without content. Also, if you fast while thinking about money while fasting, it is still a futile fast where your will is overflowing and there is no room for God's will to intervene. Another problem is that, while fasting frequently, the deeds of the saints do not smell.
Fasting is actually a process for better obedience. It should not be a fast for fasting. In other words, the “record of fasting for a few days” should not be the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal of fasting should be 'better obedience'. Faithfulness to the ordinances is sometimes necessary, but first try to heed the basics. That is why God gave a basic answer to the question, “Should I fast?” rather than a direct answer to the question, “Listen to the Word!”
Some people ask, “Can I buy something or go to a restaurant on a Sunday?” as if buying something on a Sunday is an important standard of faith. However, there are many more important basic moral virtues in the life of faith. If you ask such a question to God, God will answer you like this in the text. “Listen to the Word!” Rather than having a clear answer to a controversial problem, say, “Forgive me! love it! Try to heed the basic saying, “Pray!”
In Psalm 81:8-14, God says: “Listen, my people. I want you to hear me, O Israel. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it, but my people do not listen to me. When my people obey me, I will quickly put control of their enemies and turn my hand against your enemies.” God still speaks to each person. When you diligently obey the Word, your life will change dramatically. Look back on your life. When was the most prosperous time in your life? It was the right time to obey the Word.