In 2 Samuel 24, King David declares “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (v. 24).

This Wednesday is Lent. It’s the start of a 40 day journey leading up to Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Lent is the practice of giving something up (most people give up red meat) as a way to show God He is more important than that thing we are giving up. It’s also a call to go above and beyond what we expect from our “normal” Christian activities (group meetings, praying, devotionals).

Lent is fasting from something in our lives that can be replaced by prayer and “almsgiving” or service to our community. It is an opportunity to do some soul-checking and reflect on those things that distract us from getting close to God.

So what is one thing that could be preventing you from getting closer to God? TV..? Facebook..? In light of what Jesus had to suffer to restore our relationship with God, don’t you think we can give these things up to be replaced with a few more minutes of prayer?

To help you meditate on what God expects from our fasting, read Isaiah 58.