Understanding the Scriptures – The beginnings of Daniel’s fast

Daniel: 9:1-3
1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: (UKJV)

In the book of Daniel, we are given an account of what caused him to begin a journey to seek the Lord’s face. He had previously been getting disturbing visions of things to come and diligently began to seek God’s counsel as to the meaning of the visions he was having. At this point he was pointed, no doubt by the Holy Spirit, to the scriptures pertaining to the destiny of the people of Israel, who were in captivity in Bablyon. So he begins to intercede on behalf of his people so that God would bring to pass the end of these 70 years and prepare his people for the return to their homeland.

In a similar manner, we are called to seek God’s face at times when we are perplexed by what is going on around us and in due course God will provide clarity and answers. This year will be an eventful one, no doubt, with no shortage of drama in the world arena. Many of us are looking for answers and signs but what we really should be looking for is the one who holds the answers. Beginning today I have resolved to seek the Lord for the next 21 days in a journey that will end on Thursday the 31st of January 2013. I believe God will speak to me and to all those who determine to seek Him as well.

The Daniel fast is not one that is to punish our bodies so that God can listen to us, but is rather a decision to abstain from pleasing the outer man so as to increase our ability to hear what God is saying in our lives. God will honour the commitment you make as you eat simpler foods, smaller portions and you will also be taking care of your body. Remember to take time, like Daniel, to read the word and pray so that the fast is also spiritually useful, as fasting without prayer is dieting or in some extreme cases, akin to a hunger strike! In verse 23 of Daniel 9, the angel Gabriel appears to Daniel and says “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.”

God the Father is looking for those who are willing to set aside some extra time and effort to pray and seek His face. Determine that you will begin this year with some special time that will refresh you and give you audience with the king! Be blessed and have a happy new year!

Prayer points for the day: Pray for understanding of the word so that it becomes a living guide to you every day. Pray for your country of residence and for God to reveal to you things that He would like to see improve there.