Humbled With Fasting

Psalm 35:13  

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.

In Psalm 35 David prayed for God’s protection from his enemies. In verse 13 David explained that they were not enemies because David mistreated them. In fact, David prayed, mourned and fasted for these people who turned around and mistreated him in return.

This verse simply states a principle about godly fasting shown throughout the Bible: Fasting is designed to humble us. Biblical fasting means to “neither eat nor drink” (Esther 4:16). When we go without the food and drink that sustain our lives, we soon realize how fragile our lives are. We see how weak we are physically, which can help us recognize our spiritual weaknesses as well. Getting a clearer perspective of how great God is and how small and sinful we are can help us fight against pride and grow in humility.

For more about fasting, see our article “What Is Fasting?

New Call-to-action
×

Discern is published every two months and is available in digital and print versions. Choose your preferred format to start your subscription.

Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe

×

Please choose your region:

×

Discern Article Series

Christ Versus Christianity
Walk as He Walked
Christianity in Progress
Wonders of God's Creation
Ask a Question