Declare a holy fast

Declare a holy fast

Scripture: Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. Joel 1:13-14

Observation: In Joel Chapter 1, the prophet speaks of great swarms of locusts that come and devastate the land, destroying crops and the whole economy. There is referece also to a mighty nation invading the land, most likely the Babylonians. It is a time of great tragedy and misery for the people. In the backdrop of this, the priests and ministers of the Lord are called to mourn and cry out to God for mercy.

1 Peter 2:5 says “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Therefore in a way, each one of us called to be an intermediary between God and man in Jesus Christ, in regard to the lost, and in regard to our nation and community who do not know Him. When disaster impacts our communityor our nation, we are called to come before God in prayer, to seek His face and plead for His mercy.,just like Moses and Ezra of old. Sometimes we don't know how to pray, and we could never fully understand the suffering people go through. However, the Holy Spirit knows, and when we pray in the Spirit, He groans deeply for those who suffer with words that cannot be expressed.

Today, we may have freedom of worship, and can praise God openly. However, a time may be coming when open worship may become restricted and even church meetings become dangerous,as was the case in China not too long ago.Christians are called to fast and pray for the nations. We should never take our freedom for granted but be ready to pray and mourn before God. There is great power in fasting,in declaring a holy fast. The call to prayer is not only for the leaders but for everyone,both small and great.

Application: Acknowledge that we are chosen to be a holy priesthood, to stand in the gap and intercede for the non-Christians in our community,to open avenues to lead others towards our Lord. Pray for a heart of compassion from the Holy Spirit, that we may learn to mourn for the lost, to seek God fervently. Endeavor to learn to fast and pray. Thank God that the call to pray is for everyone, small and great.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You have chosen me to be part of Your royal priesthood.Help me see myself as Your intermediary, with the task to bring others to Your knowledge. Give me a heart of compassion, let me learn to really love the lost and mourn for them. Teach me how to fast and pray. I thank You that You created everyone equal, and you hear the prayers of the humble who truly cry out to You.May Your name be praised forever.In Jesus name, Amen.