A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

FASTING  

Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” 

The most common form of fasting is the intentional decision to not eat or drink for a specific amount of time. This is done by some hoping for health benefits. Fasting is also promoted in the Bible for spiritual reasons. Some of the spiritual benefits are to shun the world, pray God to provide spiritual strength, and resist temptation. Other spiritual reasons include: 1) showing humility; 2) showing sorrow for sins committed; 3) focusing away from the things of this world and solely upon God through a period of intense prayer. 

In today’s devotional verses Jesus’ words addressed those who fasted in order to draw attention to themselves. He says to those who chose to fast they should do it in such a way that no one would be aware of the fact they were doing so.   

Martin Luther encouraged fasting. He wrote, “. . . fasting and bodily preparation are in fact a fine external discipline” in preparation for receiving the Lord’s Supper.” (Small Catechism) There are Lutheran Christians who today abstain from eating until they have attended Sunday worship and received the Lord’s Supper. They use this fasting period as a time for self-examination of themselves to be aware of the sins they have committed, to concentrate on confession of their sins and in true penitence to receive the Lord’s Supper for “the remission of their sins.”   

Fasting is not done to please God or earn His favor. St. Paul wrote to Timothy: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:8-10) 

Prayer: O Lord, create in me a pure heart and a right spirit . . . In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

If thou but trust in God to guide thee   
And hope in Him through all thy ways,  
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,  
And bear thee through the evil days.  
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love   
Builds on the rock that naught can move. 

What can these anxious cares avail thee,  
These never ceasing moans and sighs? 
What can it help if thou bewail thee   
O’er each dark moment as it flies?  
Our cross and trials do but press   
The heavier for our bitterness. 

Be patient and await His leisure  
In cheerful hope, with heart content  
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure   
And His discerning love hath sent,  
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known   
To him who chose us for His own. 

God knows full well when times of gladness  
Shall be the needful thing for thee.  
When He has tried thy soul with sadness  
And from all guile has found thee free,  
He comes to thee all unaware  
And makes thee own His loving care. 

Nor think amid the fiery trial  
That God hath cast thee off unheard,  
That he whose hopes meet no denial  
Must surely be of God preferred.  
Time passes and much change doth bring  
And sets a bound to ev’rything. 

All are alike before the Highest;  
‘Tis easy for our God, we know,  
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,  
To make the rich man poor and low.  
True wonders still by Him are wrought   
Who setteth up and brings to naught. 

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,  
Perform thy duties faithfully,  
And trust His Word; though undeserving,  
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.  
God never yet forsook in need  
This soul that trusted Him indeed.  

If Thou But Trust In God to Guide Thee - LSB 750