Daily Devotional For Saturday, October 26, 2024
We are looking at Jesus Sermon On The Mount and wrapping up about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18:
“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.(17) But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face (18) so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (NASB).
Fasting is not a spiritual discipline most Christians do. Jesus Himself did not give a lot of priority or teaching on this spiritual discipline but He did anticipate His followers would later in the future. Look at Matthew 9:15, “And Jesus said to them, `The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast’” (NASB).
The only specific New Testament references to later Christian fasting come in contexts of seeking God’s will in choosing church leaders. Look at the verses below:
- Acts 13:2-3, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (3) Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (NASB).
- Acts 14:23, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (NASB).
As with Jesus’ words on almsgiving and prayer, we are not to draw attention to ourselves when we fast. I think of the words of Alfred Plummer who wrote these words in 1909 that still ring true today:
“The light of a Christian character will shine before men and win glory for God without the artificial aid of public advertisement. Ostentatious religion may have its reward here, but it receives none from God” (Source: Alfred Plummer, An Exegetical Commentary On The Gospel According to St. Matthew, p. 90).
Christians who judge successful ministries by external statistics such as attendance figures, membership, baptisms, and offerings should seriously rethink their criteria in light of Jesus’ words here. God judges the greatness of his servants by searching their hearts, examining their inner attitudes, and seeing deeds done in secret. Doubtless, His evaluations of who most honors Him will invert a substantial majority of His people’s evaluations.
“If you have not ever fasted, heed the words of Christian author Richard Foster. The first time you voluntarily give up the pleasure of food, it may hurt. Start with just a one-meal fast, advises author Richard Foster. Treat fasting like an athletic exercise. If you’re a novice, don’t try to swim the English Channel. During your fast, pray often. Be sure not to make a big public event of it, telling friends or moaning to your family about hunger pangs. Just pray. Open yourself to God. Tell him how much you want his love and guidance. Read some psalms, refreshing your heart with food from God’s Word. Let your fast bring you joy before you turn again to the food that you need to run the next mile” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 119).
Here are some lessons we all need to learn from Jesus’ word on alms giving, prayer and fasting.
- First, anytime we do anything for God as a performance, then we are hypocrites. We stop living and serving for an audience of One and choose people’ over God. This means we have lost our awe, wonder, and respect for God. Our goal is to make people think we are holier and more devoted to Christ than we really are.
- Second, when we fail to keep what we do for God with certain disciples a secret, we miss God’s reward of satisfaction for us. What we do for God is not so that we get a blessing from God. We do it because we love Him and are grateful for all He has done for us. Yes, God may bless us but only if our hearts are right.
- Third, anytime we serve or give to God to draw attention to ourselves or impress others, we cannot please God. God knows our hearts, even our secret thoughts. He knows our motives and our attitudes. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Questions To Consider
- When you give or serve God or your church, do you ever put on a show for others to see? Why or why not?
- Do you ever give or serve God or your church to be noticed by others? Why? Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:3-4. What do these tell you and why should you do it?
- God is more interested in your character than in your comfort. In what areas is God working on your character?
Scripture to Meditate On: Matthew 6:3-4, "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, please help me to give and to serve You and my church without any attention, recognition and praise. I want to draw attention to You, not to me. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly