35 “But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:33-35.
What is the meaning of this Scripture for us? Should we be fasting and praying? Or, should we be eating and drinking? Is Christ with us? Or, is Christ away from us?
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9.
Here, Paul was in jail. If ever there was a time when he could feel that Christ was away from him, it would be then. If ever there was a time when he could feel that he should be fasting and praying, it would be then. But, instead, his attitude was one of joy and rejoicing. In the same chapter, he later speaks of contentment. He speaks of having received everything in full and having an abundance. He speaks of the promise of God supplying all our needs. He speaks of the nearness of the Lord, the peace of God guarding our hearts, and the grace of God being with our spirit.
I am not maintaining that fasting should never be done. But, I am saying that if, in the best sense of this Scripture, Christ is away from us, so that we should fast, at least more, then we would see it preached and practiced much more.
When Paul stated in Philippians 4:9 above, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”, Paul was not talking about fasting. After the Book of Acts, when I did a BibleGateway search, I did not find a single reference to a fast or fasting – Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: fast
And yet, it may appear to the world that the attitude of Christians is one of sorrow or at least lack of joy. It may appear to the world as if Christians are solemn and sour. It may appear to the world as if Christians are fasting.
It is a shame that the questions in the first paragraph seem at first so tough to answer.
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. (Emphasis added.)
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 