-John Brydon
Hopefully you
will be encouraged, repeatedly, to make sure that your fast doesn’t consist
simply of not eating or restricted eating.
That is not really a fast.
We are encouraging everyone (including ourselves) to deliberately modify
our schedules to fit in specific times for Bible reading, prayer, and
meditation. If that doesn’t happen,
then the primary purpose of the fast isn’t achieved.
Turning to Bible reading, Jack
Hayford (from Spirit Filled, with Jack Hayford) provided the idea that follows.
It certainly applies to me and perhaps will be of use to you. I will read my Bible and a day or two
later not be able to remember what I read.
That has bothered me, but Hayford related a story of someone who made the
same complaint. That person’s
mother asked them, “Do you remember what you had for supper three weeks ago
Tuesday?” Of course, the person
couldn’t remember. Her mother then
asked, “Did you get nourishment from that food, even if you can't remember what
you ate?” Of course, the answer
was yes. The same is true of our
Bible reading. It nourishes us as
we read; we grow from it as we read.
Hayford says, “Just keep reading the Bible. You may not remember everything, but the
Word is flowing into your spirit, and as it does, it is giving abiding strength
to sustain you as you simply obey – and read.”
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
That is truly our “daily bread”.
John, thank you for this encouragement! I, too, have been frustrated at the lack of "total recall" from reading the Word, or even from a sermon or message that was quite meaningful on a given day, but not recallable a few days later. Praise God that he nourishes us as we read! May His Word and Spirit continue to fill me, nourish me, and strengthen me!
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