Isolation by Robin Densmore Fuson

Fasting is difficult. I’ve fasted a few times in my life for various reasons and time periods. A person with a faster metabolism experiences a more difficult challenge. There is a diet that requires intermittent fasting of around fifteen hours each day. I typically go between seventeen to twenty hours from my last meal of the day and breakfast the next.

Biblical fasting is associated with prayer. In a prolonged fast it’s beneficial to pray each time the hunger pangs nudge us to find food. That’s the point of fasting in the Bible. Prayer. A time of focus on the Lord. To be alone with God. No distractions. Me and God time.

The prophet Moses, who led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt to the edge of the promised land, experienced fasting. There were many trips to the top of a mountain to meet the Lord. On one of the trips to the top of Mt. Sinai he spent forty days with the Lord. There, Moses pled for the lives of the people and God gave him instruction on how to build the tabernacle and the Arc of the Covenant. He learned the specification for priestly garments. God’s hand wrote ten commandments on stone to be always remembered. During the forty days and forty nights in the presence of the Lord, Moses didn’t eat. He fasted. (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25)

Halfway down the mountain, Joshua also waited. He witnessed the cloud of God’s Shekinah Glory and heard His voice. He also fasted as he stood near God’s presence and soaked it all in. (Exodus 24:13)

In 1 Kings 19, God sent an angel to feed Elijah, then he traveled forty days relying on the food he ate. Essentially, he fasted for forty days.

The most significate fasting is when Jesus led by the Holy Spirit went to the wilderness. He spent forty days communing with His Father and the Holy Spirit while he ate nothing. When He felt deep hunger, Satan came to tempt Him. Satan temped Jesus in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Jesus used scripture to rebuff Satan. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13)

Jesus is our example of what to do in temptation and trials. Pray, read God’s Word, and use the Word to fight temptation. He was tempted like all of us. (Hebrews 4:15)

Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Jesus were also isolated. None of them had human companionship to go with them through the forty days of fasting.

During the pandemic we all experienced isolation. A time of seclusion. What did we do during the time alone? Some of us took to writing. Others discovered new solitaire games. We may have learned how to order groceries to be delivered. We stayed in contact with others via phones, texts, emails, and letter writing. Too much time was spent on watching television and movies. Social media accounts soared. Some were privileged to have other family members with them while sadly others were completely isolated.

When sickness attacks and we stay home, or we need to spend time in the hospital, we become alone and at least partly isolated. I’ve spent days on end with people in the hospital. Those times are draining both emotionally and physically. Watching a person sleep is tiring and boring. During those times you may experience isolation too.

What would happen if every person in the world used fasting or isolation to fellowship with their creator? To fellowship with the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us? (Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8)

We need to use times of fasting or alone times to spend with the Lord. It becomes a time of refreshment, and we realize then, we are not alone. Prayer and Bible study strengthens and encourages us in our fellowship and walk with the Lord. During that time our relationship with Jesus grows strong and intimate and we experience peace and joy.

When was the last time you fasted the biblical way? Next time you feel alone turn to the One who cares more for you than anyone, your Lord and Savior.