LEARNING TO HONOR GOD
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18, ESV
Theme: God sees your heart. When you fast in order to focus on and honor Him, He rewards your sacrifice and obedience.
WHEN YOU FAST, GOD SEES
Today’s Scripture doesn’t say, “if you fast;” it says, “when.” Jesus fasted. It appears based on the passage that fasting is a regular and expected practice for the faithful.
Maybe you, like me, don’t deny yourself food often. In fact, because we have plenty, we don’t usually consider fasting first as a way to help us focus on and honor God. I would first think of a retreat or change of venue. Getting out of my normal space isn’t necessarily a bad option, but it does cost resources rather than save them. I also think of going far away to serve, which is also really good.
Yet one of the least costly, universally accessible ways to focus on and honor God is a fast. We don’t have to be far from God to fast. We don’t need any special credentials, plane tickets, or accommodations. There are a few simple instructions: don’t be dramatic; don’t act like you’re starving; fast for God, not an audience of onlookers. It is not necessary for many people to know. We simply stop eating regular meals for a period of time, intentionally.
FAST TO HONOR AND OBEY GOD
Purposeful fasting, with the intention of honoring God, is hard in my experience. It isn’t the same as missing a meal accidentally or because you ate too much the meal before. There is something unnerving about knowing you’ll not be eating when your stomach growls; you plan to ignore it and that makes doing so more challenging. It is almost as if my body chooses to become unreasonably responsive when I have chosen to fast. My family invariably eats a tasty meal with an aroma that permeates the home. Lunch hour – which on another day could pass by accidentally – approaches in slow motion and stretches much longer than usual. How many minutes does meal preparation, consumption, and cleanup take? I now have that many minutes to allow God to satisfy my soul. What I choose to do with my hunger matters. I can allow myself to be consumed by the lack of a meal, or I can refocus my effort on God.
Hunger is only one physical appetite. We have others. The practice of denying myself food prepares me to rely on God even if I can’t eat. It prepares my soul for the reality that God actually sustains me. Maybe when I fast, it will help me to endure if there comes a time when I can no longer feed myself or food is not available. Regardless of the benefit or growth which fasting yields, its primary purpose is not to show others how strong I am. It is the opposite; to privately admit my own weakness and need for God.
HE WILL MEET YOU THERE
God is there when we come to the end of our reserves. When I was in South Africa recently, the team was discussing our experience of visiting homes of sponsored children. We listened to an account of a young man living alone with not one scrap of food in his makeshift dwelling. He did receive a monthly food parcel; yet he chose to leave it with his family in the main house while he stayed in a separate space.
Our team discussed how food insecurity like that must be frightening. Can you imagine not having a snack on hand--ever? What that young person knows about God’s provision—from years of experience without any control over his next meal—we might get a glimpse of when we obey and fast. One thing is certain, God will meet you there when you seek Him – not for attention, not for any other reason other than to honor, obey and be close with Himl
Make It Personal: Would you consider fasting intentionally this week? Record your fears and concerns, then bring them directly to God in prayer. Do you carry a snack in your bag? Your car? Is your pantry ever without a snack option?
Pray: God, thank You for Your provision and for honoring our sacrifices. Please help us to know that whatever we fear, You are able to overcome. Help us to know You and trust You more. When we fast, help us to do so honorably, not for attention but in obedience to You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Luke 2:36-37; Luke 6:17-21, 25
Weekly Memory Verse: “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24, ESV