LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Thursday 26th June 2025
CONSECRATE A FAST
Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-17
Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. *Joel 2:15-16*_
Joel was one of the prophets who prophesied after Israel had been sent into exile. At a time of crisis and natural stress, just as famine was imminent, the Lord asked Joel to tell Judah to call for a fast.
The fast was announced by a trumpet. That means it was a public fast; not a private one. It was not to be a secret fast done on the quiet and unknown to anyone. It was to be open and in public spaces.
The fast requires a Sacred Assembly. It was a corporate fast and not a personal one. It included the elders, children, babies, bridegrooms, brides and priests. The different categories of people, constituting the entire nation, were assembled to fast and seek the face of God.
Today, we also consecrate a fast of 40 days to the Lord. Like the fast in the book of Joel, it is a consecrated fast. Today is the first day of our spiritual journey. We commit ourselves to seeking the face of the Lord and being conscious of His presence.
As we seek the Lord, these will happen in our lives.
1. He will hear us. As we present our requests to Him, He will hear us. He will hear us as we wait on Him in faith. He will hear us and do great things among us.
2. The Lord will turn His face towards us. He will pay attention to our prayers. Wherever you join in to pray in this season, the Lord will shine His face upon you and show you, His mercy. His favour will be our portion.
3. The Lord will renew us with His Spirit. If you are down, He will lift you up. If you are weak, you will receive new strength.
4. The Lord will guide us. If you are lost, He will show you the way. He will order your steps and direct you. He will bring you to the expected end.
5. The Lord will open doors for us. What is shut to you, will be open to you. May God open supernatural doors for you.
6. The Lord will fight for us. He is your Man of War. Those who fight you, fight the Lord. As we join our faith, God will fight for you and prevail for you.
7. The Lord will give us victory. We will triumph. He will give us all a testimony. We will come rejoicing with our story of the Lord’s work in our lives.
The Lord will begin with us on this spiritual journey, and He will end with us. We will be enriched in every way and our end will be glorious.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I consecrate to wait on you. Let your Holy Spirit lead me as I seek your face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
