When You Fast

Matthew 6:16-18 (AMPC) says, 16 “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. 17 “But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.”

In Matthew 5 and 6, Jesus is still on the mountain He climbed up, speaking to His disciples and the large crowds that followed Him. In verse 16, He begins to speak about fasting, and chooses the words, “and whenever you are fasting.” Fasting is not a matter of if, but a matter of when, indicating we are expected to fast, and do so regularly. It should also be done in secret. Yes, our Father will reward us for doing so as it says in verse 18, but that should not be the sole reason we do so. When we fast, we declare that we need God more than we need what we are fasting. Our focus is redirected. We replace the time we spend on the object of our fast to spend more time with God. We deny ourselves the gifts of God to focus on God, the gift giver. Fasting is a bold statement of purpose and intentional pursuit! We draw closer to Him and like John says, “I must decrease so that He can increase”. Fasting is the passionate desire to be with Him, to worship Him, to lavish Him with our love and attention; to draw Him into our circumstances, no matter what they are, good, bad, or something in between. It is a private interlude between us and our King, and it gets His attention! We should want His attention; we should want His approval, and not want to show everyone how “spiritual” we are or obtain the approval of man. So, when you fast, do it to pursue Him in an expression of love and devotion, and do it regularly for the reward of Him.

Amen.