Day 8: A Day of New Beginnings
Lamentations 3:22–23
22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
As we enter into day eight of our fast, some of you may be a little discouraged because you have not quite accomplished what you thought you would have accomplished at this point. Others may be a little discouraged because you feel you have failed God in not quite adhering to all the “fast principles” you had in place on day one. Others may just be tired of battling the flesh’s desire to have its own way.
Whatever you are struggling with, be encouraged that you are still in the race and God sees you. He knew on day one everything you would encounter each day and He has been ever present to assist you in your journey. Years ago, I traveled out of state to pick up my son and on the way home my brand new car decided to stop running. And, to compound the problem, it was nearly midnight and we were on a very dark and nearly deserted stretch of highway. My car came to a stop along the side of the road and we waited hoping someone would come by. This was before cell phones were so plentiful, so I had no way to call for help and I could not leave my car on the dark road and walk with my two children at that hour of the night. So, as a new Christian, I did all I knew to do and that was pray. It was only a few minutes before I heard the sound of a huge truck engine and watched as it pulled up on the service road adjacent to the highway. It turned out that it was a power utility truck that was out on a call and the man had seen my car and stopped to assist. He quickly diagnosed that my alternator wire had slipped loose and needed to be reattached. Of course, the man had just the right tools and materials to fix my car. I often think back on this incident and question if that man was really an angel of God. What are the chances of someone just happening along at that hour and at that location and having just the right tools and materials? This obstacle in my journey revealed the love and faithfulness of God to me.
I believe the Lord positioned Himself to assist me in my delay in my journey the same way that He is positioning Himself to assist you in this fasting journey that you are on. The numbers eight represents new beginnings and on day eight of your fast, shake yourself off, forget about the mistakes of the past seven days and begin fresh and new. God’s mercies are fresh and new every day.
Many lessons are learned in these experiences and God is always full of grace and mercy toward us. Be encouraged that you are one third of the way through and our Father in Heaven desires that you succeed. Which is better, to have never started the journey or to have started and stumbled a couple of times along the way? I believe the Lord is so proud of your efforts and He is partnering with you to see you to the end!
