Text: Matthew 6:16 NKJV
Further Reading: Matthew 6:16-18
“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.
Matthew 6:16 NKJV
MESSAGE
Many people fast as a form of ritual. Some others do it as means of gaining personal favour from God. Whatever your reason for fasting is, there are certain guidelines that Jesus gave to help us understand when our fast is acceptable to God or we have our rewards of men.
Fasting is not something to show off or brag about. It is a means of humbling one self before the Lord. Anytime God sees people humble themselves, he tends to move in with mercy. Even though such people have sinned, God will oveelook their sin and pardon them.
We saw this play our in the book of Jonah when the people of Nineveh repented and humbled themselves by fasting and crying to God. God withheld judgment and decided to show mercy upon them (Jonah 3:1:10). God is still a merciful God today, only that you must humble yourself and genuinely repent of your sin.
In our text and reading of the day, the Lord told us the dos and don’ts of acceptable fast. The first thing the Lord warned against is hypocrisy. A show to appear to be more spiritual than others or to letting others known that you are fasting. The Lord says that such a person already have his reward. You are not to go about telling people that you are fasting as this is between you and God.
It is pride that will make anyone want other people to know that they are fasting. This kind of act will only attract disfavour rather than mercy. The Bible says that God resists the proud, but the humble He lifts up (James 4:6; Matthew 23:12).
When you fast, do you best to be neat and well dressed. Let the glory of Christ be seen in you and in that true humility, God will respond to your petition. If you know that your body can not hide the fact that you are fasting, try to fast when you have less activities and you can stay alone with God.
REFLECTION
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:10 NKJV
Begin to fast the right way by truly humbling yourself before the Lord.
PRAYER
Father, please grant me the grace and strength to fast the right way.
