Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) “Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Devotion
Fasting is a cleansing experience. Chains can be broken. Strongholds can be torn down. Captives can be set free. Many that are fasting earnestly crave this type of deliverance. But, once the deliverance finally comes or once the fast is finally over - what now? Keep pursuing him. Replace the craving with Christ.
It’s risky to be cleansed but empty. Even with deliverance, the new cleansed soul is vulnerable if left unoccupied. Jesus taught that when an unclean spirit leaves a man, it will come back. If it finds the man “…empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matthew 12:43-45).
Sustaining deliverance, including deliverance received during a fast, requires effort. It’s true that salvation is free and accessible to all. Saint Paul wrote that “…whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Still, the Gospel calls for participation. When Jesus called Simon and Andrew from fishing he said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). When Jesus called Matthew from the tax office, He again said: “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:9). When the rich young ruler asked Jesus what he lacked, Jesus called him to: “….go sell what you have and give it to the poor…and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). In each of these examples, Jesus was asking for participation. He was asking that their main priority become following and craving him. Coming out of the fast, it’s important to remain cleansed, but not empty. Faithful but not stagnant. Keep pursuing him. Replace the craving with Christ.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of deliverance and the cleansing work You do in our lives. Help us not to leave the space You have cleansed empty, but to fill it with Your presence, Your Word, and Your will. Teach us to follow You wholeheartedly, just as Simon, Andrew, and others did. May our pursuit of You replace every worldly craving. Empower us to be steadfast, continually seeking You and becoming vessels of Your love and truth, even beyond this fast. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
After your fast, take deliberate steps to fill your life with the things of God. Commit to daily prayer, Bible study, and service to others. Consider joining a small group or a ministry team where you can grow spiritually and be equipped to reach others for Christ. Let the cravings that were surrendered during your fast be replaced with a hunger for God’s Word and His presence.
Resources:
Reading through the New Testament: Today’s reading - James - Jude
21-Day Fasting Journey with Jentezen Franklin
Wow! This devotion is very timely for me. I am fasting from coffee and dessert like foods and have noticed in the past few days that I’m spending more money and eating more than usual! Not because I need to spend money or that I’m hungry - I’m just redirecting my cravings! This devotion is a good reminder that I need to be redirecting all my cravings to Christ.