Benefits of Fasting - Blessings of Subtraction
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness… The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs… (Isa 58:6-11)
As we begin this Lent season, let us recall and learn some principles that God engrained in creation. There are blessing that come by addition, but there are also blessings that come by subtraction. Ordinarily, blessings come by receiving more – addition of money, property, profits, gifts, more academic qualifications, more ranks; more is better. In fact there is a research that shows that the nations that have been blessed with more riches have also been blessed with more height, so that the ‘blessing’ is clearly visible even in people’s bodies. From that research, it is generally true that Europeans and Americans are taller than Africans, on average, and much taller than Chinese or Indians. In each of these societies, however, it is also generally true that grown children are taller than their parents, and taller still than their grandparents. But is it really true that more is better, and blessings are only seen in addition? Does subtraction mean the opposite of blessing?
While looking at the flip side of the above research, I noticed that those countries boasting of good height are also struggling with obesity at much higher levels than in the ‘shorter’ countries. Anyone there who achieves significant weight loss makes a big celebration – it is a blessing of weight subtraction – not addition. Subtraction can bring blessings too: in fasting, we position ourselves to receive those blessings. Check out what kind of fast God required of his people in Isaiah 58 (summary extracted in the opening Scripture above); it boils down to subtraction. To ‘loose the chains of injustice’ could mean someone stooping low, giving up one’s privileges for the sake of restoring fairness and justice; to ‘spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry’ means giving away some of your money and food to those who have less to eat – not just throwing food at them, but stooping down to feel their need, and lovingly giving what you can; to ‘satisfy the needs of the oppressed’ also involves one giving up some comfort and possessions for the sake of those mistreated. All these are subtractions that attract blessings.
Human beings are wired with such a selfishness that always wants more. While addition may mean blessings, selfishness is a vice that must be broken. Love for God is incomplete without love for neighbour. The Lent period is observed by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word. These actions strengthen you in breaking the selfishness and doing God’s will in love. Then the blessings will come: ‘The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs.’ There are many more benefits of fasting – including defeating stubborn spirits, receiving divine deliverance and breaking through to higher achievements.
God bless you all as you observe this Lent season.