The Fasting Jawbone

In Judges 15:14–19, Samson walks toward a shouting enemy while he’s still bound. But then the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon him, and the ropes on his arms become like charred flax—the bindings drop from his hands. He’s free to fight.

And what does God place within reach?
Not a sword. Not a spear. A fresh jawbone of a donkey.

Samson grabs it and strikes down a thousand Philistines. After the battle, he throws the jawbone away, and the place is called Ramoth Lehi—Jawbone Hill. Then Samson gets thirsty. He cries out to God. And God opens the hollow place in Lehi—jawbone—and water comes out. Samson drinks, his strength returns, and he is revived.

That’s the story. And it leaves us with a question: Why would God use a jawbone? Why not the jawbone of a lion, or a hippo, or a crocodile—something impressive? Instead, God uses what looks lowly and unimpressive to bring a supernatural victory.

And Samson’s jawbone is a powerful picture of fasting.

The jawbone is used for eating, but in this story it becomes a weapon. In the same way, fasting is the jawbone of spiritual warfare. It may seem humble and unimpressive, but it can crush strongholds and bring victory in ways we can’t get on our own.

So what do we learn from Samson?

1) Break Free
Before Samson ever picked up the jawbone, he had to break free. The enemy was coming, shouting and threatening, but he couldn’t fight while bound. In the same way, we have to identify what keeps us out of the fight—fear, shame, addiction, other people’s influence, personal failure, or anything that ties up our hands. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on Samson and he broke free so he could get in the fight. As we step into a new season, we need that same power to break what has been holding us back.

2) Pick Up the Weapon
Samson had to choose to pick up the jawbone. It took humility. I’m sure he could’ve thought, “What difference could this possibly make?” That’s what many people do with fasting. They underestimate it. But spiritual disciplines require humility—obedience over opinion. God said His people would fast. God said it would give unusual strength and power. And when you say no to your flesh, you are conquering something strong.

3) Swing It With Passion
Samson didn’t put the jawbone on a shelf—he swung it with everything he had. If fasting is the jawbone, then prayer and passion are how we swing it. Not ordinary prayer. Not casual prayer. Prayer with persistence, focus, and faith. There are moments where the church has to decide: we will swing the jawbone of fasting and prayer, or we will lose ground to passivity.

4) Hold On Until Victory
At some point Samson got tired. But he held on until he got the victory God wanted him to have. Fasting builds momentum. It breaks losing streaks and introduces a new spiritual pace. But you have to hold on.

5) Drink After the Battle
The greatest blessing of the jawbone came after the fight. God brought water from the hollow place, and Samson was revived. In the same way, the greatest blessing often won’t come during the fast—it will come after. At some point later, you’ll look back and realize you really did break free. You really did gain strength you didn’t know you had. You really were revived.

Isaiah calls it being like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. You empty out your belly, and God fills you up. And Jesus said out of your belly will flow rivers of living water. If you’ll empty it, God will fill it.

Prayer
Father, in Jesus’ name, we thank You for Your Word and for the power of Your Spirit. We don’t want to enter another season bound up by fear, shame, distraction, addiction, or anything that keeps us out of the fight. Holy Spirit, rush on us like You did Samson—break every rope, loosen every bond, and give us the freedom to do what You’ve called us to do.
Give us the humility to pick up the fasting jawbone. Teach us to obey You even when it doesn’t make sense to our natural mind. And as we fast, stir up passion and persistence in our prayer life. Help us to swing this weapon with faith—not casually, not passively, but with focus and expectation.

Lord, we ask You for victory over strongholds, for breakthrough in our homes and families, for renewal in our hearts, and for revival in our church and our city. And after the battle, bring the water—bring refreshing, strength, and life back into every dry place. Fill us with rivers of living water, and let this be a year marked by Your presence and Your power.
In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.