MARCH 21
FASTING IN SECRET
Matthew 6:17-18
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. (WEB)
Most of the time, when we think of fasting, we think of going without food. But we can fast many things. Whatever we choose to fast, our Father loves it when we keep it between Him and us. He loves it when we do things secretly as a love offering to Him and Him alone.
We should not be preoccupied with fasting in secret because sometimes, sharing what we do with a friend might encourage them. I think the point of today's Bible reading is simply that when we do whatever we do with a motive to bless our heavenly Dad, it blesses His heart. His response to such secret devotion to Him is to want to reward us openly in front of the whole family!
Today, I pray that we all know our Father sees everything we do in our secret devotion to Him. Whether we are secretly giving a gift to someone in need or praying in our prayer closets, our heavenly Father sees what we are doing, and He is so proud of us!
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. (WEB)
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. (WEB)
Most of the time, when we think of fasting, we think of going without food. But we can fast many things. Whatever we choose to fast, our Father loves it when we keep it between Him and us. He loves it when we do things secretly as a love offering to Him and Him alone.
We should not be preoccupied with fasting in secret because sometimes, sharing what we do with a friend might encourage them. I think the point of today's Bible reading is simply that when we do whatever we do with a motive to bless our heavenly Dad, it blesses His heart. His response to such secret devotion to Him is to want to reward us openly in front of the whole family!
Today, I pray that we all know our Father sees everything we do in our secret devotion to Him. Whether we are secretly giving a gift to someone in need or praying in our prayer closets, our heavenly Father sees what we are doing, and He is so proud of us!
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. (WEB)