Keeping Focused

“The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Numbers 21:5

            In this passage above, God, through Moses, had liberated the people of Israel from slavery to Egypt. God had miraculously freed Israel and made a path through the Red Sea for their departure.  God promised to them that they would have a land flowing with milk and honey – filled with all the good things of life.  God also provided food that they did not have to work for and water, which they did not have to look for.  God, in short, took care of every need they had during their journey.  And yet we have the verse above.

            What happened?  The people of Israel lost sight of where they were going.  They were off to the land of promise where they would be free from slavery.  They forgot about the difficulties of being an enslaved people.  Certainly all of these could be true but I think they became impatient.  When we become impatient we tend to exaggerate.  Notice how Israel declares they haven’t any food but then say they do have food and it’s miserable?  In their exaggeration they over look the blessings in their midst.  In their impatience, they lose sight of their destination, the Promised Land.  In their impatience they forget how difficult the Egyptian taskmaster truly was.  God has cared for them thus far and has a wonderful and prosperous future ahead of them.  They forgot that and so do we.

            At the beginning of our fasting, we are enthused and excited, much like Israel.  We find that scripture comes alive and our prayers seem to be getting first class treatment in heaven.  But then…then we realize we are fasting and that it is a commitment that takes time and won’t be over quickly.  For some, like myself, this realization takes all of five minutes into the fast and for others it takes hours or even days.  But at some point we are faced with the temptation to say, “I didn’t really mean it when I said I would fast.  I was only kidding.  God doesn’t really take our commitments seriously.”  So we give up on our commitments to God. 

            If you’re feeling like this today, don’t give up.  God has spiritual blessings in store for those who remain faithful.  Yes, if you decide to stop fasting because it has become too difficult God will still love you.  God will always love you.  But don’t give up on fasting.  Try it again but modify it.  Sometimes we try to take on too much.  Ask God what you should fast from and try it again. 

 

~ Rev. Matt Seaton