Sunday, August 16, 2009

I was recently discussing with a friend of mine why he's on a "scripture fast." I was taken aback. When I asked the reason for this foolhardy decision their response was this:
"I want a relationship that isn't dependent on some book."
That concept is not a new one.
II Chron. 34 talks about King Josiah of Israel who was one righteous king in a long line of very bad kings. The kings before him had strayed far from scripture. Because of their decisions they had left the original dictates of the Lord behind and all of Israel was practicing in blindness. So long was Israel so unconcerned with following the law of the Lord, the scrolls were lost to them, literally. In his conviction to turn to the Lord, King Josiah ordered a temple restoration. In the restoration, the scrolls of the law were recovered.
vs 19 "When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, [a] Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: 21 "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book." ...
... vs 31 The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD -to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book."

The word of the Lord-the Law and it's truth convicted the heart of the King and Josiah (who lived righteously) was immediately repentant. That is the power of the word of God.
The law is the Lord's communication with man : "Here is my plan for you. Live THIS way." and when Christ came and became the living fulfillment of the law, his life and teachings were literally God saying "This is my plan for you, Live THIS way." God's relationship is still through the law- because Christ is the law fulfilled. (Matt 5:17-19) It's our relationship with Christ that dictates how well we're carrying out His will.
"If you love me, you will obey what I command" John 14:15

Man's relationship with God has been set up with parameters and we have the answers for how we are to live. It's all laid out for us-in scripture. To fast from that is to starve the soul. All efforts to be righteous aside from following as the Lord has instructed is futility.
Do not starve your soul. The Lord wants you to live an abundant life.