Unaccepted Fast

“Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭‬‬

This word against the people of Judah is harsh. Jeremiah shared the words of the Lord calling the people of Judah out on how quick they were to stray. Jeremiah wanted to be able to cry out to God for mercy. God told Jeremiah “Don’t pray for them. I am. I won’t listen to them this time. I won’t accept their fast. The people of Judah are going to pay by famine, sword, and pestilence.”

What can I learn from this passage about fasting?

• God does not accept every fast.
• God is looking for true repentance. He doesn’t want people seeking Him to be a genie in a bottle that they can call on for mercy when they want to live however they want the rest of the time.

Lord, help my life to honor You that any fast I do will be accepted by You. Guard me from living to please myself or others, instead I want to please You.