Text: Isaiah 58; 2 Samuel 22

The second 10-day watch in the 40-day fast focuses on Isaiah 58 and the fast the Lord calls His people to. As we move out of expectation and into reality, Marilyn Hickey’s words in The Power of Prayer and Fasting are beneficial,

“God doesn’t give religious good stars to the person who fasts. We must never make a point of prideful boasting that we went on a fast with our church or Bible study. We must never think that our fasting brought about a miracle. God is the worker of miracles. Fasting is a means of putting us into a position to trust God more and to rely upon God to do His work in us, through us, and around us. Fasting calls a person to a humbling of spirit, not just a humbling of body” (p. 101).

…And in that humility the Lord offers great rewards.

“Band” in Isaiah 58:6 is defined as “fetter” or “pain.” To loose the bands of wickedness means to break free of any evil grip—addictions, entrenched sinful habits, spiritual strongholds—the adversary has in your life and be liberated from its resulting pain. Let the Holy Spirit loose any band that is choking your liberty and assert freedom in the name of Jesus.