Day 30 - Exodus 34:28
A Fasted Journey for Spiritual Renewal
Day 30
“So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” -Exodus 34:28
Moses is another example of a 40 day fast. We are told that he also abstained from drinking water. Certainly the vast majority of humans throughout history have discounted this Biblical truth. But of course. Why wouldn’t they. The experts tell you that you need food, water, sodium, electrolytes, etc. At some point, that definitely is true. God didn’t make our bodies to go indefinitely without these other essential parts of His creation that He created for our use and enjoyment while we sojourn through this earth.
However, all too many fail to realize the power that they have through the Holy Spirit. The idea of this power is something I’ve written about before and have talked about publicly, and privately, many times. Does that mean we can be like Moses and go 40 days without food and water? Probably not. Does it mean we can discipline our bodies, turn to the Lord and rely on Him for supernatural power? Absolutely it does.
As an example, Ephesians 3:14-21 says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in you inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what it the breadth and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
There is A LOT to unpack in that passage. Which won’t be thoroughly done here. Suffice it to say that God’s POWER working in and through believers has no limit and exceeds the wildest depths of our imagination and consciousness. We soften put God in a box and limit His unlimited capabilities. Does that mean that everyone should do a 40 day fast? No. Does that mean that God didn’t uniquely prepare and fill Moses, Elijah, and Jesus with that power so they could persist through their extended fasts? No, He probably did at least to some degree. Does it mean that you are capable, if you are in dwelt with the Holy Spirit, to be filled with power you didn’t think possible to further God’s Kingdom? Yes, it means that as well.
One of the final pushes for me before I embarked on this fasting journey was discovering the story of retired NFL player Russell Okung. About a year ago he did a 40 day water fast. I learned about it maybe 5 days before I started fasting. At first I was shocked. Then, as I learned more, I was amazed and encouraged.
Okung’s own journey is remarkable. He also wrote a journal about it here. I have wondered how many people he has impacted to do a fast of their own. Maybe not as long as he did, but in general to bring awareness and curiosity which then propelled people to do it. His journey certainly helped mine.
So many people have their ideas about “health,” needing food and electrolytes or whatever other regurgitation they’ve heard from “experts” over the years. I will reiterate, that yes, at some point you do need those things. However, what we have been told by our godless society and experts for so long is often way off the mark about what we truly need.
I am not a medical professional. This journal is about my spiritual path and about that which the Lord has placed on me. This is not medical advice, nor was this fast done for any medical purpose. If you have a medical interest, seek medical advice. If you have particular health concerns, seek medical advice and/or conduct your own research. Any fasting advice, effects, realizations or anything else related to my fast come from my personal reflection and experience. If you are considering fasting, consulting with a healthcare provider may be appropriate for you.