Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 New King James Version
Fasting to Be Seen Only by God
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Answers
The Bible talks a lot about fasting, but do we understand what it means and how we are supposed to do it? I really didn’t for a long time and after studying for a while I have come to realize most people don’t.
Fasting is not about getting God to take care of your list of demands. In my experience a lot of churches at the beginning of the year will tell people to make a list of what you are wanting God to do and then fast something for a certain amount of days and ask Him to do those things.
There are a few things wrong with that. First, fasting is about sacrificing those things which we have allowed to distract us from God, the things that we really want. Some fast meals, certain drinks, social media, television. Whatever you fast should be sought in prayer.
Ask God What To Fast
God knows exactly what needs to be sacrificed in order for you to get closer to Him. When sacrificing those particular things, for instance, a meal, the time you would normally spend eating that meal you will spend praying, talking to God. That’s what it’s all about. Getting closer to Him and seeking Him more.
Second, God is not our genie. He isn’t someone who we say “Hey I want this, do it for me” . Yes, we can ask, seek and knock and if it’s within His will for our lives He will give it to us in His timing, but we have to be willing to accept that the things we want for ourselves and our loved ones may not be the things He wants. His ways are much better than ours. It’s not wrong to seek out particular things during your time of fasting. My point is to not let that be the focus of your doing so.
How To
The scripture I have shared about tells how you should fast. Just as with pretty much anything we should not walk around telling everyone about our fasting. It is a private thing between you and God. Fasting is not to show others how spiritual you are. It’s not to have others pat you on the back our be gentle with you because you are making such a sacrifice. According to this scripture in Matthew, no one should even know you are fasting.
Fasting In Scripture
There are many points in scripture where people fast seeking God to do a particular thing for them or their people. As I said above there is nothing wrong with that as long as your heart is in the right place when doing so.
I hope this devotional was eye opening and helps you in your up coming fast. Keep in mind we shouldn’t only fast at the start of a new year but regularly. Keeping God first in all we do is the most important thing in our lives and fasting is a good way to do that.
Matthew 9:14-17, Joel 2:12-13, Matthew 4:1-2
**Lord thank You for reminding us that making sacrifices in our own lives to be closer to You is important. Help me to see what I need to fast and how to do so. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. **
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