This went on for three years after my salvation. I was frustrated, and more importantly, I was becoming increasingly uncertain about the power and validity of this salvation. After all, if I couldn’t understand it, then could it be real?

Thankfully, I was attending a solid, Bible-teaching church. They taught about principles other churches don’t speak about, like fasting. Fasting is simply denying yourself something that pleases you, with the goal of drawing closer to God. Often it is related to food, but you can fast from anything, really. Today, it is common to fast from social media or streaming services.

After three years of grinding through the Bible I decided to take a step of faith. On a business trip to central Illinois, I chose to fast from food for two days. I didn’t do it for a health reason, like losing weight or lowering my cholesterol. I chose to do it for one reason; to honor God.

When I started the fast I immediately noticed a difference in the physical, aside from being hungry. Whenever you travel and stay in a hotel room you go out to eat in a restaurant. Without the need to do that, I discovered I had a lot of free time on my hands. This is a major principle of fasting. Whenever you give up something it is supposed to free up your time so you can give more of it, and more of yourself to God. I spent that time reading the Bible, praying, walking, and at times, idly passing the time.

By the second day I was hungry, which revealed another important principle of fasting. Whenever you are missing the thing you are fasting from, or whenever it causes you displeasure, you remember what you are doing and why you are doing it. You can’t help but to think about God and remember that you are seeking Him diligently through your fast.

By the end of the second day I had spent a lot of time praying and reading the Bible in the mornings and evenings in the hotel room. I was actively and intently seeking God. I was making a sacrifice for Him. I was being obedient to His word. At the end of the second day a miracle happened.

The Word of God was opened up to me and I read it for the first time with understanding, depth, and revelation. It did not matter what I read, New or Old Testament, the Gospel’s, the Epistles, or the Prophets, there was something dramatically different happening in my mind when I read the words. It is not something I can explain or illustrate. The words on the page were the same, the stories unchanged, but they became alive!

I have read the Bible with understanding and revelation since that day. I also have a desire to read it every day, which I do, seven days a week, first thing in the morning. I love the Word of God and I love spending time with Him, just me and Him.

(Matthew 6:33)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Connect with Chris @:

https://singwriteread.com/