Judah Fasts and God Smites an Army

King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a huge trial. A massive army, comprised of soldiers from many nations, invaded his kingdom.

How did Jehoshaphat react? II Chronicles 20:3-4 reveals, “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.”

The entire nation fasted, seeking God’s intervention. When He saw their humble attitudes, God answered. He told them not to be afraid, but to go out and meet the invading army and trust that God would settle the matter.

The next day, Jehosaphat and the people found that God had indeed intervened. The entire army was killed! God actually turned the army against itself, and no one was left alive. When you face trials and tests or struggle with sin—when you see Satan and his army at the gates of your city—the need to fast is great. Just as God helped Jehosaphat, He will also help you.

Fasting shows God that you are willing to rely on His strength—not your own—for deliverance. It teaches you to depend on Him for everything—strength, help in overcoming sin, deliverance from trials, and answered prayer.

Read Daniel 9:27. to see how Daniel afflicted and humbled himself so that God would hear and answer his prayers. This great servant made a request “by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” (Dan. 9:3). God answered by sending the archangel Gabriel to help him.

God hears all our prayers—if we obey Him. But when the need for an answer is great, fasting, along with prayer, is extremely effective (see Mark 9:25-29). God takes notice and responds when He sees how serious you are and how important His way of life is to you.

Fast to Seek God’s Will

Do you want to know what God’s will is—for you or anything else? Then follow the example of Paul.

When Christ struck Paul down supernaturally on the road to Damascus, Paul fasted while waiting to learn what Christ wanted him to do—to learn His will (Acts 9:6-9).

When you face important decisions in your life and need to know what God’s will is on the matter, FAST! Draw close to God. Study His Word. Read and meditate on any and all scriptures that pertain to the matter. Make your request known to God through prayer. Ask for His guidance and help. Seek His will and He will show you what to do.

The Proper Attitude

People in the world fast for many reasons, but almost none do it with the proper attitude. They fast to make political statements, or for this or that cause. Or they fast to force their will upon God. During a fast, we must seek GOD’S will—not our own!

So what kind of attitude does God look for? The latter half of Isaiah 66:2 reveals the answer: “…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word.”

Isaiah also records why God calls for fasting: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness [flee sin], to undo the heavy burdens [trials and tribulations]…and that you break every yoke [bondage to sin]?” (Isa 58:6).

Fasting is a great tool of release when you are bound by sin.

In Isa 58:1-4, God condemns those who fast for selfish reasons, take pleasure in their own fast, or have political agendas. These attitudes are not acceptable to Him. These kinds of fasts are nothing more than hunger strikes.

Fasting should always achieve a good end. It should help you see that you are nothing but weak flesh. It should help you see the need to help and serve others (Isa 58:7). If you fast with the proper attitude, God promises great blessings (Isa 58:8-12).