We left off with Gideon presenting a substantial food offering to the Angel of the Lord who came to assure him of his authority in God. Gideon called the offering a present. As Gideon offered his gift to the Lord, the angel of God asked him to open up the present and place it upon a rock. The angel then touched the food with his staff and fire came up consuming the offering and He vanished. No longer was the angel of God needed as Gideon was now at a place where he could hear God directly and move forward performing what can only be described as supernatural feats by the power of a supernatural God.
God wants to get more out of us, and oftentimes, He has to get rid of what is already in us in order to put in us that which will take us to greater levels. He summons us to open ourselves up before Him, like a present to the King, and take out everything that we feel is of such great value. And as we place our valuables upon the altar, He replaces them with His fire; “For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). Fasting is a preparation to a baptism with fire.
Fasting prepares you for the promise with power. God has greater plans for you.
The same fire that purifies also empowers. Supernatural triumphs can be realized with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Fasting is never easy, as the chaff gets burned. Gideon was so amazed that he had seen the Lord “face to face” and the fire of the Spirit that he cried out for his life. But the Lord had greater plans for Gideon. Gideon was chosen to do something seemingly supernatural. The Lords response to his cry was “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die”. After his preparation he was given a great promise. Fasting prepares you for the promise with power. God has greater plans for you. Plan a fast today, for there is a promise to those who are cleansed and empowered through fasting; you “shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord” (Psalm 118:17).
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