Isaiah 58 (NIV Isaiah 58)
my commentary on Isaiah 58
What fasting does for us
Fasting is about breaking bondage. Bondage from sin, bondage from oppression and injustice, bondage from hunger, bondage from homelessness, bondage from nakedness (see verses 6-7).
How does this apply to you? Fasting can help with:
- trials
- school
- sports
- addictions
- self-discipline
- health
All of these are examples of a type of bondage we may suffer.
Besides the benefits of breaking bondages, we also receive blessings and benefits from fasting. Light (knowledge) will enter your life, you will be physically healed, you will have greater righteousness (justice with others and wisdom for yourself), greater power and concern from God (better responses and response times from God) (see verses 8-9).
What blessing will you receive from fasting?
- greater knowledge (smarter)
- health and healing
- greater love for others
- wisdom
- power from God
What others have said of fasting
“When a person starts a fast, biochemical adjustments begin in the bloodstream to compensate for the lack of food. A carbohydrate substance known as glycogen is released from storage areas in the liver and the muscles. The body uses glycogen as food to keep cells supplied with energy. After 24 hours this food source is used up, and another source of energy is needed.
“Dr. Siegfried Heyden of Duke University’s Department of Community and Family Medicine says when this happens, the body starts looking for other energy sources. ‘The first thing happening after a 24-hour fast is the breakdown of fat cells. And these fat cells, when they break down, produce ketone bodies, as they are called. And these ketone bodies seem to have an effect on our psyche in that they make us no longer hungry.’” (source)
The human body spends a lot of energy digesting food. When it does not have to spend time digesting food, it can dedicate energy to body repairs. The body will search for dead cells, damaged tissues and other areas including fatty deposits and tumors and basically eat these 'bad' cells.
The mind becomes more self-aware and elevated. For those who suffer depression or anxiety, fasting may help. Time that would have been spent on preparing food, can now be spent in meditation or rest. The Greek philosopher Plato said he fasted for greater physical and mental efficiency.
Mental power and focus increase during fasting. Think of what happens to you after a large meal or Thanksgiving dinner. You literally become dumb and sleepy, because your body is using all that energy to digesting all that extra food. The opposite is true; your mind becomes more focused and sharper because all your energy is available since the body does not have to digest food.
Summary of benefits of fasting (source)
- improved mental clarity; no more brain fog
- rapid, safe weight loss
- balanced nervous system
- increased energy
- need less sleep
- revitalized organs
- improved skin
- improved movement, agility
- fuller, freer and deeper breathing
- rejuvenated digestive system
- restored acute sensitivity (taste) to food
- increased confidence in our ability to have self-control
- restored normal metabolic and cell oxygenation
- detoxification of things that cause disease (fat cells, plaques, mucus, tumors, stored up worries and emotions)
