Fasting: A Matter of the Heart - Day of fast 1/21

 BY Argie Simonis

"Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;

That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly." Μatt. 6:16-18

Here the Lord emphasizes that fasting has to do with the motives of the heart. He said exactly the same about prayer:

"And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward." Μatt. 6:5

So, what is the purpose of fasting?

I believe that fasting is the opportunity for man to humble his soul, and repent of his sin and carnality. But the Lord says that real fasting is more than these physical things. It has to do with the attitude of the heart:

"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh?" Isaiah 58:5-7

The main purpose of the Lord's kind of fasting, is freedom. Isaiah tells us here that it will loose the bands of wickedness in us and we will be freed from our burdens. It will free us from oppression and break every yoke that the devil has put on us. This way we will be able to better hear the voice of the Lord, His instruction for our lives and see more answers to our prayers. When we stop being the center of the world and start blessing others, help the poor and give our time and help to our family and those around us, the reward comes not from men, but from Heaven:

"Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then shall you call, and the LORD shall answer; you shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If you take away from the middle of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;" Isaiah 58:8-9

"And the LORD shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:11

Praise be to God!