Tuesday, December 30, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Ephesians 3

Why do we fast?

Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Severe dehydration is no joke. Symptoms can include muscle cramps, intense abdominal pain, and numbness in the lips and face. A family member of mine experienced this before heading to the ER, where doctors confirmed it was “just dehydration.” His body was desperate for fluids. Thankfully, an IV bag of fluids was enough, but the incident reminded us how vital water truly is.

In Psalm 63:1, David expresses that same urgency—his soul and body thirst for God. Just as dehydration leaves the body desperate, spiritual dryness leaves the soul longing for renewal. But how do we reach that state? And more importantly, how do we avoid that spiritually? 

In my relative’s case, the hot weather, outdoor work, and distractions kept him from drinking enough water. Though he consumed some, it wasn’t sufficient. Signs of trouble were present, but he ignored them until the symptoms became severe.

Spiritually, we can fall into the same trap. We may take small sips of God—occasional prayers, brief devotions—thinking it’s enough. Meanwhile, distractions pull us away, leaving us parched and weary. Earthly pursuits promise satisfaction but only deepen our thirst. Eventually, we find ourselves at the end of our rope, desperate for what only God can provide.

Jesus offers the Living Water—the Holy Spirit—that satisfies permanently (John 4:14). Fasting is a way to clear distractions, quiet our hearts, and rehydrate our souls. It sharpens our focus, creating space to be refreshed by God’s presence. In fasting, we shift dependence from ourselves to him. It is not about impressing God but about positioning ourselves to seek him, hear him, and welcome his direction.

David’s cry in Psalm 63 reminds us that spiritual thirst is real and urgent. Just as dehydration demands immediate attention, so does the soul’s longing for God. Fasting helps us recognize that urgency, strip away what diverts us, and lean fully into Christ. It is an intentional act of vulnerability, a way of saying, “Lord, I need You more than anything else.”

Are you seeking sustenance that truly satisfies? Fasting can help remove the noise of the world and deepen your relationship with God, allowing his Living Water to refresh and sustain you.

Questions:
What distracts you from focusing your attention on God?

What are you doing to earnestly seek God? Have you ever tried fasting? How did it go? 

How do you think fasting would challenge you? How do you think it could benefit you spiritually?

Next Steps:
Take time to list out the distractions that divert your attention, causing you to seek satisfaction rather than the Lord.

Make a plan to fast and clear away these distractions and spend time focusing on God.

Prayer:
Lord, the world has so many things that invite me to shift my attention from you. As much as I hate to admit it, I can be prone to shifting my focus and getting distracted with the things that promise satisfaction in the moment, but ultimately leave me wanting. Help me to clear away the noise, quiet my heart, and fix my eyes on you alone. I know that only you will fully satisfy what I am searching for. 

This post was written by Kelly Pagel, curriculum coordinator at CedarCreek and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.