FASTING by D. W. Hull

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1860

FASTING.

By D. W. Hull

THERE are few duties more plainly set forth in the sacred word than our duty to fast. Indeed, it seems to have been taken as an admitted fact, that all God's

children would fast. The duty was so plain that it seemed hardly necessary to enjoin it. Hence our Saviour, when he speaks of the subject, takes it for granted that the Lord's children will fast, and he tells us how to fast. Matt. vi, 16. "Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance." But how is it at present? Do we have many fasting Christians? I fear not.

If Christ were to address this language to you, dear brother or sister, (and he really does,) what would you reply? I think it would be something like this: "Lord, I seldom ever fast, and therefore I do not disfigure my face." Ah! is there not as great a fault in you in this respect as there was in the wicked Pharisees? While they did wickedly in glorying in their fasting, you fail to do your duty by pursuing an opposite course.

"But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Luke v, 35. Who shall fast? Ans. The "children of the bride-chamber." If this class of people are to fast, where are they? They can certainly be distinguished by their much prayer and fasting, as well as by merely keeping the Sabbath. How unlike our great Pattern we are? Christ fasted forty days and nights, yet there are scores of Sabbath-keepers who do not fast one day in forty, and perhaps not a few who never have fasted!

What, never fast? and we living down here in the time when we are almost daily expecting Christ's second appearing? in the time of the judgment? On the day of atonement the people were required to afflict their souls. Lev. xvi, 29. We live in the antitype of that time, at the very time when we expect the gifts to be restored. Yet Christ tells us plainly, speaking of casting out a certain demon, that this kind goeth not out except by prayer and fasting. Matt. xvii, 21.

It was after a long abstinence that Paul was enabled to predict the ultimate safety of the ship's crew. Acts xxvii, 21-24. In Dan. ix, 3, we learn that he fasted and prayed, because he did not understand the vision. Evidently this was the way in which Daniel approached his God. See also chap. x, 3. That God's children ever have fasted, please see 1 Kings xxi, 9; 2 Chron. xx, 3; Eze. viii, 21; Ps. lxix, 10; Jer. xxxvi, 9; Jonah iii, 5.

Joel i, 14. "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord." With such passages as the one just quoted, and others referred to, it seems to be the duty of every church to appoint its fast-days.

Joel ii, 12. "Therefore also now saith the Lord, Turn ye, even to me, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."

The duty is plain. And if we ever expect to get into a place where the Lord will bless us, we must have our fast-days set apart. D. W. HULL.