WHEN YE FAST - Matthew 6:16
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
In this passage we receive two commandments from Christ that are designed to assist us in our daily walk with God. The first commandment deals with fasting. God expects fasting to be a part of your Christian life.
As you study scripture, you read about many godly men and women who abstained from food and saw God work in their lives. We understand that while Moses was up on the mountain receiving the law of God that he fasted for 40 days. It was during this time on the mountain that God permitted Moses to see the backside of God. Moses’ relationship with God grew because of the time HE spent fasting alone with God.
Elijah was also a man who fasted for forty days. Elijah had just seen God use him greatly in that he prayed and he saw fire come down from heaven and he prayed and he saw rain come from a small cloud. However, Elijah now lacked direction for his life so God had him fast and it was at the end of this prolonged fast that God revealed himself to Elijah and gave him a new direction for his life.
Esther is another individual who fasted and saw God work mightily as a result. Esther had been informed that the Jews were going to be destroyed. She was instructed that she needed to intercede on behalf of the Jews. However, before Esther went before the king that could take her life, Esther and many of the Jews fasted for three days. God protected Esther and by the courage of Esther, the Jews were preserved.
If you desire the power of God in your life, then you need to obey the commands of Christ and implement fasting into your life. However, in addition to fasting, Christ commands you in how you are to fast. Not only are you to obey, but God looks at your heart to ensure that you are fasting for the right reasons.
In this passage we learn that we are to fast in such a way that others do not necessarily know that we are fasting. The religious leaders used to fast but because they desired the praises of men, they made sure that others knew how miserable they were. God does not honor those who obey HIM for the purposes of obtaining the praises of men. God looks at your heart and HE expects you to obey HIM because of your love for HIM.
When you take time to add knowledge of the ways of God, then you understand not only what God expects you to do, but also what attitudes HE desires you to have. Fasting is just one of the things God expects of you as a Christian. However, if you desire the full blessings of God, you also understand that God looks at your heart and expects you to have a right relationship towards HIM.
Just as a parent knows when their child is obeying them for the wrong reasons, so also does God know your heart and why you do things. We are commanded that we are to love the Lord with all our heart. How can you love the Lord with all your heart if the reason why you are obeying HIM is because you desire the praises of man? Take the time to daily check your life to ensure that your heart is right before God; ensure that you are obeying HIM for the right reasons.