SCRIPTURE:
Job 23:12 I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food.

DEVOTIONAL:
Job was suffering unimaginable losses, and in the midst of his grief, his friends berated him and told him his sin had caused his suffering. In Job 23, Job is telling these friends that he knows he has not strayed from God’s will. He knows that he has not been living a sinful life, that regardless of the circumstances around him, he has continued to follow and trust in God. He knows this because he has treasured the words of God even more than he treasured his daily food. Fasting is a useful spiritual tool that shows us where we are spiritually weak, where we are holding onto something God has asked us to let go of, or where we’re not listening to God’s voice and obeying. Fasting can help you learn to treasure the words of God more than anything else in life.

PRAYER:
God, at the beginning of this fast, would You show me what areas of my life need to be addressed? I submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart and give You permission to work in areas I have previously held off from You. I pray that You would show me the things I am holding onto that You are asking me to let go of. Let me see the things that are holding me back from living the life You have for me. I ask that especially during this time of fasting, You would strengthen me spiritually, that I would learn to better hear Your voice and obey Your directions. Help me treasure Your word and relationship with You more than anything else in this life.

READING PLAN:

• Luke 7
• Luke 8
• Luke 9
• Luke 10
• Luke 11
• Luke 12
• Luke 13
• Luke 14
• Luke 15
• Luke 16
• Luke 17
• Luke 18