GIFT AND PRIVILEGE
Brenda Lineberger
Today’s Scripture: “David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.” 2 Samuel 12:16-17, ESV
Theme: Fast, as David did, during a time of repentance.
CONSEQUENCES
Losing a child is surely the sharpest pain one can ever endure. David’s pain was made even heavier because he knew he was responsible for the child’s affliction. Yet even in his grief, David understood something many struggle to grasp—death was not the end. He trusted that his child was in the hands of the God he knew so well and that one day he would be reunited with him. David’s fasting was not an attempt to manipulate God, but an act of repentance, humility, and surrender. He placed himself fully before the Lord, acknowledging his sin and his dependence on God’s mercy.
AFRAID OF FAILURE?
Wisdom and understanding of God’s Word takes time. They come through time spent in Scripture, obedience, and following the example Christ gave us through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We have learned that we can pray anytime, anyplace—silently or aloud, from our hearts and our minds. Fasting allows us to pray with our bodies. It is a physical expression of repentance, dependence, and a desire to draw near to God, just as David did.
If you think you are too weak to go without food or you fear disappointing God—or yourself—take heart. When we are weak, He is strong. God covers us when our desire is to be closer to Him, to focus on Him, to know Him more, and to experience His presence. He doesn’t grade us; He loves us. Relax, follow the Holy Spirit, and trust that you can do this. You will be blessed.
UNCOMFORTABLE
Just this month was my first time fasting, and I had all the doubts and fears mentioned above. So, I dove into the Word, searching for understanding. This is a bit of what I found:
- Moses fasted with courage and awe as he watched God write the Ten Commandments.
- David fasted in grief and repentance.
- Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat fasted in fear of impending war.
- Esther fasted to save the Jews from annihilation.
- Jesus fasted—for us.
About five or six hours into my fast, I felt uncomfortable. Immediately, my thoughts turned to how uncomfortable Jesus must have been—mocked, spat upon, beaten, and nailed to a cross. How uncomfortable He was, hanging there naked and bleeding. And how painful it must have been for the Father to turn away as Jesus took my sins upon Himself. In that moment, I felt His presence. I felt deeply loved and overwhelmingly grateful for His willingness to suffer for me.
Make It Personal: Fasting is both a gift and a privilege. Read Isaiah 58:6–12. This passage reminds us that fasting is not only about abstaining from food, but about repentance that leads to justice, freedom, compassion, generosity, healing—and even renewed strength. What motivated David’s fasting in this passage—fear, repentance, or dependence on God? Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to humility, repentance, or surrender? After reading Isaiah 58, what kind of fasting do you sense God desires from you right now? Take the gift. Claim the privilege. Let your fasting draw you closer to the heart of God, just as it did for David. Let fasting help you join Christ by participating in His suffering.
Pray: Father God, thank You for loving us enough to sacrifice Your Son on a cruel cross to save our souls. Thank You for blessing us with love, grace, forgiveness, joy, and peace. We love You. We need You. We trust You. Help us draw closer to You and know You better, so that we may tell others—those who may not know You at all—that You love them and desire a relationship with them.
Read: 2 Samuel 12:19-23; 2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Esther 4:15-16; Exodus 34:28; Philippians 3:10
Weekly Memory Verse: “It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” Isaiah 25:9, ESV