Keep It Between You and Your Heavenly Father

# 264 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:18 “The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting.”

Let’s spend some time on this matter of fasting. Fasting was practiced by the Old Testament church and the New Testament church. The only required fast in Mosaic law was on the Day of Atonement. Four other annual fasts were instituted during the Babylonian captivity. Other fasts were called as needed during times of national calamity, repentance, and seeking the Lord’s favor. Personal fasting was also practiced as individuals faced crisis situations.

In the New Testament, fasting was a spiritual discipline that marked Christians and was practiced by the church on a personal and congregational level. On the personal level, Jesus placed one stipulation on fasting. It’s found in Matthew 6:16 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

He said, “go ahead, fast, but when you do keep it between you and your heavenly Father. Don’t use it as a method of parading your “supposed superior spirituality in front of others” It is His applause we seek, not the applause of men.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.