The darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining (1 John 2:8). These are the words by which John, the aged apostle, encourages his spiritual sons and daughters who are struggling against various forms of temptation.
The imagery is backwards, isn’t it? How can darkness fade? Darkness doesn’t fade; light fades!
But the kingdom of God reverses the natural progression of things. In the kingdom of God, darkness fades. The light of God’s glory does not fade. In fact, it only increases and increases.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Do you hear this? We are progressing from one degree of glory to the next! The light is increasing and the darkness is decreasing!
But we tend to feel the opposite. Have you ever felt like the temptations that you face are getting stronger and your ability to resist them is getting weaker?
If you’ve never felt this before, you’re bound to feel it at some point during the fast. I always feel at some point in the fast that my ability to resist the urge to eat what I so desire to eat is getting weaker and weaker and weaker . . .
But this is the wrong mindset. You are not getting weaker; you’re getting stronger! You’re more powerful today than you were yesterday! And you’ll be more powerful tomorrow than you are today!
Fasting only weakens the believer who believes that they will be weakened by their fast. But the believer who believes that God’s supernatural strength will increase in them each day as they fast experiences that continual strengthening.
The challenge is to reject the mindset of deprivation. Instead of walking around feeling the pain of what you’ve lost by agreeing to undertake this fast, embrace the privilege of what you are gaining; a new level of devotion, and a greater glory!
And whatever darkness that has held you back in your past is very quickly becoming obsolete. The darkness is passing away . . . it’s fading fast. And the true light is already shining.
Be encouraged and strengthened today like never before!
‘Embrace the privilege of what you are gaining’ that is such a powerful statement. I know for me the hardest part about fasting has been the decision to just do it! I would always think of a reason why I couldn’t commit at that particular time. But in those times of seeking greater intimacy with God I would wonder why I would ever want another meal again. It’s funny how making the decision to give up food is more a battle in your mind and flesh than in your actual stomach! Thanks for the encouragement today
So true! The desire for food is mostly about the longing of the soul, not the body!
Just like Carolyn said, it’s all in the mindset y’all! And PB, thanks for pointing out the reverse nature of darkness and light in the Kingdom.
I’ve been one to give up at the sight of resistance, but now, I have the confidence to push through because there IS light at the end of the tunnel and we ARE moving towards it. I don’t just know it, I see it!
I can’t wait for all the testimonies at the end of this fast!
Yes!!!
Love this! We are only getting stronger! I havent been in a long fast in a long time to be honest, so its been a struggle! And its only day 3!! So this devo definitely encouraged me knowing that I’m not getting weaker, I’m doing the opposite and only getting stronger!!
Keep going, Hope! You can’t fail!