Day 10 Devotional: Fasting to Be Equipped for Battle
Day 10: Fasting to Be Equipped for Battle
This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of riddles, and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation. (Daniel 5:12)
When you get sick with a cold or a stomach bug, the virus or bacteria is too small to be seen but we experience the undeniable signs and symptoms of illness. The same is true spiritually. We may not visibly see the spiritual battle that is taking place, but we feel the effects.
As we know God more, especially through studying His Word and the life of His Son Jesus, we become increasingly confident that we don’t have to be afraid of any battle that comes our way.
However, we do need to be aware that the battle exists and the enemy is real, and we also need to be equipped with spiritual weapons so we can fight . . . not “for” victory but “from” victory.
When the enemy came to tempt Eve in the garden in Genesis Chapter three, he employed three tactics that he still uses today: planting doubt, inciting lust, and encouraging disobedience.
Planting doubt, the serpent asks the question, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1)
Inciting lust, the serpent makes a false promise that she will be fulfilled by something worldly, and shows the woman how the fruit was a delight to the eyes and desirable. (Genesis 3:6)
Encouraging disobedience, the serpent assures her it's fine to act contrary to what God clearly commanded. (Genesis 3:4)
But we are not ignorant of the devil's schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Daniel had an extraordinary spirit and insight that was from God, and we need the same! As we fast and draw close to God, we learn to better discern His voice and know His truth and ways.
This is vital so we can receive the gift of discernment to help us separate truth from lies, light from darkness, and kingdom ways from the world’s ways.
Now is a time to have eyes and ears wide open to what God is doing, and to be ready for battle. Many things have been written and said about the Armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18. Let's meditate on this passage of scripture today and be sure to put on every piece of this armor – today and every day.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:11-12)
On Day 10 of a fast or prayer journey, it’s tempting to say, “this has been great, and it’s probably good enough”, but I encourage you to continue to press through, God is not done yet!
Your Journey:
Consider every piece of the armor that you need to take up daily so you can stand firm . . .
Having belted your waist with truth
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace
Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
Take the helmet of salvation and
The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God
Song: Surrounded (Fight My Battles) by Upperroom (YouTube)
Daniel 5:12
Judges 20:24-28
Ephesians 6:10-18
You can utilize the Daniel Fast Journey book (available on Amazon) for more information about the Daniel Fast along with a 21-day meal plan and recipes.