A Fasted Life in Babylon

Fasting
Babylon-Feast

I believe there are some striking parallels between the book of Daniel, set in context of Babylon and student life on a university campus...

Daniel was young man who was intentionally separated from his family, family culture and values, being groomed  to be a leader in an alien, oppressive culture. Daniel only had the company of his peers (not his elders), as they were re-taught history, values and culture in the context of sophisticated, dominant nation. Their very identity was being shaped by the Chaldean "eunuchs" and a pagan King — from their names, to their diet! he Chaldeans were determined to remake them in their own image. They were removed from their roots and expected to be responsible for themselves — having to learn ‘on the fly’ to navigate a complex set of spiritual and moral issues. Does this sound eerily familiar to you? Welcome to life on a university campus!

So how do you live, even thrive, in a such a harsh, predatory setting?  Here's what you do: you become a witnessing, discipling community that seeks God together and chooses to live a fasted life. In a sophisticated and oppressive culture that is overtly pagan and immoral you keep yourself undefiled by setting yourself apart inwardly, in the heart.

Fast or Forget

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah banded together and stood with each other. They even refused to eat what was "allowed" by Jewish law, not because of a legalism, but out of desire to stay in tune with God. In a cultural Babel, they wanted to be able to clearly distinguish the whispers of God. It was not just the "unlawful" food they were refusing, but the deadening, medicating substitute that Babylon offered them. "Forget that you are Israelites, God's chosen ones. Forget that you are meant to mediate Yahweh's presence to the nations. Forget that your national sin has brought you under judgment. Forget that God's eyes are still on you, and that he still has destiny for you. All that's over now... Here, have a little more of the King's wine, the best there is. "

Fasting for the Reward

A fasted life is not about rules -- it's about hearing the Spirit's prompting for yourself and obeying him, and being willing to give up minor "rights" to live out the destiny God gives you in return.

A fasted life is not bargaining with God or a contrived striving. It comes out of a hunger for the things of God -- it is a personal response as the Spirit of  God leads you because the culture that you live in demands an extreme witness. It mitigates against pride, it is NOT to impress people -- "You are seeking the reward of the Father who sees in secret".

What is the Fasted Life?

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah  were a witnessing, discipling community who lived a fasted life as a witness to a whole nation and to Kings.

  • A fasted life is a desire for God's favor in an unfavorable atmosphere
  • A fasted life is a response to an oppressive culture and powers
  • A fasted life is keeping yourself undefiled and separated from "Babylon" by simple obedience
  • A fasted life is an aid to holiness and purity where these are mocked
  • A fasted life is a key to wisdom and understanding (10 times as much as others!)
  • A fasted life is a key to enter into revelation, visions and the mysteries of God
  • A fasted life is a key to prophetic release and courageous witness
  • A fasted life is a way to maintain your hunger for God's presence and Kingdom when you are offered the "satisfaction" of every unlawful desire
  • A fasted life is a refusal to be medicated by entertainment
  • A fasted life is an acknowledgment of injustice and oppression and a declaration of resistance to "status quo"
  • A fasted life is a desire and witness for a better world  and culture and a coming Kingdom
  • A fasted life is a willingness and readiness to suffer for God's sake
  • A fasted life is a balance to dissipation and a revelation of the beauty of holiness and purity
  • A fasted life is a seeking of answers to prayer in the midst of  resistance in the heavens
  • A fasted life is a discipline driven by hunger for the sake of true riches
  • A fasted life is a key to witnessing to "kings" and "eunuchs", those in authority and places of influence
  • A fasted life is a key to an open heaven

A Clean and Holy Vessel

Here are some words that Paul spoke over Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:20-26 NIV

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

"God, we embrace the call to live a fasted in your Grace, not out of prideful legalism, but because we long for the beauty of your holiness to be seen. We want your glory to be seen -  both in us, and in the students you are raising up. We desire an open heaven over your church and seek an uncompromising, prophetic witness to this campus. Make us a company of Daniels."

Featured

Tags