His Word Today

¹⁶ “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ 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 6:16–18 ESV)

“When the heart and mind are deeply exercised upon a serious subject, especially one of a solemn or sorrowful kind, there is a disinclination for the partaking of food. Abstinence therefrom is a natural expression of our unworthiness, of our sense of the comparative worthlessness of earthly things, and our desire to fix our attention upon things above. Fasting, whether total or partial, seems to have been connected with seasons of peculiarly solemn devotion in all ages.”  — A.W. Pink

“It is pleasing to God, only so far as it is directed to another object: to train us to abstinence, to subdue the lust of the flesh, to excite us to earnestness in prayer, and to testify our repentance when we are affected by the view of the tribunal of God.”  — John Calvin

“I have been in that old church in New England where Jonathan Edwards preached his great sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He had a little manuscript which he held up so close to his face that they couldn’t see his countenance. He went on and on. The people in the crowded church were tremendously moved. One man sprang to his feet, rushed down the center aisle and cried, “Mr. Edwards, have mercy!” For three days Edwards had not eaten a mouthful of food; for three nights, he had not closed his eyes in sleep. Over and over again he had been saying to God, “Give me New England! Give me New England!” and when he arose from his knees and made his way into the pulpit, they say he looked as if he had been gazing straight into the face of God. They say that before he opened his lips to speak, conviction fell upon his audience.”  — J. Wilbur Chapman

“Scripture records how people fasted to seek God in an intense way, most often conjoined with prolonged prayer, and that fasting was, far from being a mark of empty outward practice, supposed to mark true mourning over loss, true repentance over sin, or true humility in seeking God (Ps. 69:9–12; Is. 58:1–14; Jer. 36:1–9; Jl. 1:13–16; Jl. 2:12–16).” – Harrison Perkins

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁶ “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ 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 6:16–18 ESV)

Jesus spoke in His Sermon on the Mount on three indispensable disciplines for His disciples. These include good works, prayer and thirdly, fasting. What exactly is fasting? What does it mean to fast?

To fast (νηστεύω; nesteuo) literally means to go without food (Matt. 4:2; 6:16, 17; 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33; 18:12; Acts 10:30; 13:2). “Fasting is eating sparingly or abstaining from food altogether, either from necessity or desire. In medical terms, fasting is the detoxification of the body through the restriction of food,” The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains.

Notice that Jesus said, “And when you fast.”  It was never a question of “if” a believer in Christ fasts. It is only a question of when, or how. While Jesus did not specify the “when” of fasting, He did speak about “how” to fast.

“Let me say something on fasting because many, for want of knowing its usefulness undervalue it necessity, and some reject it as altogether superfluous. While on the other hand, where the use of it is not well understood, it easily degenerates in superstition,” states John Calvin.

“Upon this matter the passing of the centuries has produces little or no improvement, for the very conditions which confronted this eminent reformer (John Calvin) prevail extensively today. If on the one side Romanists have perverted a means unto an end, and have exalted what is exceptional to a principle part of their religious worship, Protestants have gone to the opposite extreme; allowing what was practiced by primitive Christians to sink into general disuse,” explains commentator A. W. Pink.

Jesus said that His disciples should not hypocritically fast, but they should fast. We should not look gloomy or sad, and disfigure our faces. Fasting should not be done in order to be seen by other people. As with good works and prayer, we should secretly fast. No one, but the Lord and other limited exceptions, should know that we are fasting. Fasting concerns having a greater intimacy with the Lord and not for personal praise from other people.

Jesus said that when we fast we should do so in manner that other people do not realize that we are fasting. There should be no disfigurement of our faces and we should be freshly groomed. This way our fasting is not for the purpose of others seeing us fast, but only the heavenly Father. It is this type of disciplined fasting that honors God and that He will honor in response.  

Consider participating in a biblical fast. Involved in this period of time is Bible reading, study, worship and prayer. It is wise to find a secluded place of solitude for your fast. This removes potential, but otherwise appropriate, activities. Have a blessed day, and if applicable to you, a blessed fast.

Soli deo Gloria!   

¹⁶ “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ 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 6:16–18 ESV)

Jesus spoke in His Sermon on the Mount on three indispensable disciplines for His disciples. These include good works, prayer and thirdly, fasting. What exactly is fasting? What does it mean to fast?

To fast (νηστεύω; nesteuo) literally means to go without food (Matt. 4:2; 6:16, 17; 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33; 18:12; Acts 10:30; 13:2). “Fasting is eating sparingly or abstaining from food altogether, either from necessity or desire. In medical terms, fasting is the detoxification of the body through the restriction of food,” The Tyndale Bible Dictionary explains.

“Spiritual fasting entails setting aside activities as well as reducing the intake of food and replacing these activities with the exercise of prayer and preoccupation with spiritual concerns. The NT word that is translated “fasting” literally means one who has not eaten, one who is empty.”

There are three different types of fasting. First, there is a normal fast. This is when there is no intake of food for a specific period of time. Second, there is partial fasting. This involves a limited intake of food during the fast. Third, there is an absolute fast. This is a total abstinence from food or liquids. The time frame for this type of fast may not be specified.

Some Bible scholars have indicated that for those who cannot abstain from food, such as a diabetic or hypoglycemic, a spiritual fast may suffice. This is where an individual fasts from a pleasurable activity. It could include an abstinence from entertainment, physical intimacy with one’s spouse (I Cor. 7:1-5), or social media.

Notice that Jesus said, “And when you fast.”  It was never a question of “if” a believer in Christ fasts. It is only a question of when, or how. While Jesus did not specify the “when” of fasting, He did speak about “how” to fast.

Jesus said that His disciples should not hypocritically fast. We should not look gloomy or sad, and disfigure our faces. Fasting should not be done in order to be seen by other people. As with good works and prayer, we should secretly fast. No one, but the Lord and other limited exceptions, should know that we are fasting. Fasting concerns having a greater intimacy with the Lord and not for personal praise from other people.

“How often do you think fasting is mentioned in the Bible? By my count, there are some seventy-seven biblical references to fasting. Does that surprise you? Despite so many references, fasting is not a frequent subject in pulpits, publications, and Christian conversation,” states biblical professor Dr. Donald S. Whitney

“In part, this may be due to the fact that, while fasting may be done cooperatively with fellow believers (Acts 13:1-2; 14:23), typically it is private in nature and shouldn’t be evident to others (Matt. 6:16–18). So it’s possible that Christians around us fast more than we realize or hear mentioned.”

Consider participating in a biblical fast. Involved in this period of time is Bible reading, study, worship and prayer. It is wise to find a secluded place of solitude for your fast. This removes potential, but otherwise appropriate, activities. Have a blessed day, and if applicable to you, a blessed fast.

Soli deo Gloria!   

¹⁴ “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14–15 ESV)

Jesus had one more thing to say about prayer before He addressed the subject of fasting. Remember, these instructions and commands were/are for believers in Christ. They are not instructions on how to become converted, or even how to remain converted. Rather, they are evidences that one is converted.

Today’s text refers to forgiveness. To forgive (ἀφίημι; aphiemi) means to dismiss a sinful debt incurred by someone against you. The debt may involve something said or unsaid, done or not done. Forgiveness means to leave the hurt behind and to not harbor bitterness, wrath, anger or evil speaking against someone (Eph. 4:31-32). While we may never forget, God calls us to forgive.

The call to forgive is based upon the prior truth that God has forgiven us. When we choose to not forgive, this affects our intimate fellowship with the Lord. How can we presume that God will forgive us our sins against Him as believers in Christ when we chose to not forgive those who have sinned against us?

“This is not to suggest that God will withdraw justification from those who have already received the free pardon he extends to all believers. Forgiveness in that sense—a permanent and complete acquittal from the guilt and ultimate penalty of sin—belongs to all who are in Christ (cf. John 5:24; Rom. 8:1; Eph. 1:7),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“Yet, Scripture also teaches that God chastens his children who disobey (Heb. 12:5–7). Believers are to confess their sins in order to obtain a day-to-day cleansing (1 John 1:9). This sort of forgiveness is a simple washing from the worldly defilements of sin, not a repeat of the wholesale cleansing from sin’s corruption that comes with justification. It is like a washing of the feet rather than a bath (cf. John 13:10). Forgiveness in this latter sense is what God threatens to withhold from Christians who refuse to forgive others (cf. Matt. 18:23–35).”

Jesus taught that an unforgiving spirit will impact our intimate fellowship with the Lord. We must resolve to never let that happen. We must let go of the hurt we all too often harbor against others. Instead, we are to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.

Have you asked the Lord to forgive you today? Have you forgiven others? These two disciplines go hand in hand. By doing so, we glorify the Lord. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“The Lord’s Prayer is comprehensive. It chiders hypocrites whose grand prayers parade their spirituality. It rebukes pagans who repeat the names of the gods, trying to force them to grant favors. As a believer’s prayer, it begins with God’s glory and ends with His generosity.” Daniel M. Doriani; Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, Missouri

“No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have prayed earnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for. God sometimes delays, but He always comes.” — Martin Luther; 16^th century pastor and theologian.

“Prayer is many things to many people. To the Muslim it is a daily ritual, to the Catholic it is a work that helps merit salvation, and to the evangelical Christian it is often a struggle. Books are written, classes are taught, all with the purpose to teach Christians how to have a better prayer life. That is because if we are honest with ourselves, the majority of us struggle with prayer. We live in a society of instant gratification. Many of us have been socially conditioned to expect to receive whatever we want whenever we want it. I truly believe that this is why prayer is difficult for most of us, because so often we do not see immediate results.” — Kaki Cobb, Ligonier Ministries.

“We see that nothing is set before us as an object of expectation from the Lord which we are not enjoined to ask of Him in prayer, so true it is that prayer digs up those treasures which the Gospel of our Lord discovers to the eye of faith. The necessity and utility of this exercise of prayer no words can sufficiently express.” – — John Calvin, 16^th century pastor and theologian.  

“[Prayer] is one of the greatest and most excellent means of nourishing the new nature, and of causing the soul to flourish and prosper. It is an excellent means of keeping up an acquaintance with God, and of growing in knowledge of God. It is a way to a life of communion with God. It is an excellent means of taking off the heart from the vanities of the world and of causing the mind to be conversant in heaven. It is an excellent preservative from sin and the wiles of the devil, and a powerful antidote against the poison of the old serpent. It is a duty whereby strength is derived from God against the lusts and corruptions of the heart, and the snares of the world.” Jonathan Edwards, 18^th century pastor and theologian.

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9–13 ESV)

Perhaps with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recited and remembered portions of Scripture. Wall hangings in many homes display it, children memorize it, and gifted singers regale audiences when they sing it. For the next several days, our attention is occupied with studying and understanding it.

However, rightly understood this familiar text is not so much the Lord’s Prayer as it is the prayer of the Lord’s disciples. Additionally, it is not to be unconsciously repeated. Rather, it is to be a guide for prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples about the proper order and contents of biblical prayer.

The prayer consists of six petitions. The first three focus on the glory of God. The remaining three pertain to our relationship with the One, True, and Glorious God. Its structure is similar to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). The first petition is Hallowed be your name. The second is Your kingdom come. The third is Your will be done. The fourth is Give us this day our daily bread. The fifth is forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. The sixth is “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Not only are believers in Christ to pray that the Lord would not lead us into temptation, but also we are to pray that He would deliver us from evil.

Deliver (ῥύομαι; rhyomai) means to personally rescue ((Matt. 6:13; 27:43; Luke 1:74; Rom. 7:24; 11:26; 2 Cor. 1:10; Col. 1:13; 1Thess. 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:2; 2 Peter 2:7). It is a prayer request believers strongly ask God to do.

What, or from whom, are believers in Christ needing rescue? The text says evil (πονηρός; poneros). This refers to wickedness or worthlessness. The word may also be accurately translated evil one. He is the individual who is possessed by evil and wickedness and seeks to entrap others in the same (Romans 1:18-32).

“We have no way of knowing whether it is ὁ πονηρος [ho ponēros] (the evil one) or το πονηρον [to ponēron] (the evil thing). And if it is masculine, it can either refer to the devil as the Evil One par excellence or the evil man whoever he may be who seeks to do us ill. The word πονηρος [ponēros] has a curious history coming from πονος [ponos] (toil) and πονεω [poneō] (to work). It reflects the idea either that work is bad or that this particular work is bad and so the bad idea drives out the good in work or toil, an example of human depravity surely,” explains A.T. Robertson.

Make your fervent prayer today that the Lord would keep you from trials that could become temptations by the evil one. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9–13 ESV)

Perhaps with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recited and remembered portions of Scripture. Wall hangings in many homes display it, children memorize it, and gifted singers regale audiences when they sing it. For the next several days, our attention is occupied with studying and understanding it.

However, rightly understood this familiar text is not so much the Lord’s Prayer as it is the prayer of the Lord’s disciples. Additionally, it is not to be unconsciously repeated. Rather, it is to be a guide for prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples about the proper order and contents of biblical prayer.

The prayer consists of six petitions. The first three focus on the glory of God. The remaining three pertain to our relationship with the One, True, and Glorious God. Its structure is similar to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). The first petition is Hallowed be your name. The second is Your kingdom come. The third is Your will be done. The fourth is Give us this day our daily bread. The fifth is forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. The sixth is “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Lead (εἰσφέρω; eisphero) is an active verb of probability. It concerns the certainty of God’s actions in the future. To lead means to bring about. It also means to cause something to occur. What is the leading for which believers pray to God? That He would not lead us into temptation.

Temptation (πειρασμός; periasmos) may mean a trap or a solicitation to evil. It may also mean a test or trial. The immediate context indicates the former meaning and not the latter.

The principle of Scripture interpreting Scripture is very important with any text’s interpretation. That principle is certainly important regarding todays. Scripture explicitly teaches that God does not tempt anyone. James 1:13-15 says, “¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

“God does not tempt men (James 1:13), but he will subject them to trials that may expose them to Satan’s assaults, as in the case of Job (Job 1-2) and Peter (Luke 22:31–32). This petition reflects the believing one’s desire to avoid the dangers of sin altogether. God knows what one’s need is before one asks (Matt. 6:8), and he promises that no one will be subjected to testing beyond what can be endured. He also promises a way of escape—often through endurance (1 Cor. 10:13). But still, the proper attitude for the believer is the one expressed in this petition,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Make your fervent prayer today that the Lord would keep you from trials that could become temptations. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9–13 ESV)

Perhaps with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recited and remembered portions of Scripture. Wall hangings in many homes display it, children memorize it, and gifted singers regale audiences when they sing it. For the next several days, our attention is occupied with studying and understanding it.

However, rightly understood this familiar text is not so much the Lord’s Prayer as it is the prayer of the Lord’s disciples. Additionally, it is not to be unconsciously repeated. Rather, it is to be a guide for prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples about the proper order and contents of biblical prayer.

The prayer consists of six petitions. The first three focus on the glory of God. The remaining three pertain to our relationship with the One, True, and Glorious God. Its structure is similar to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). The first petition is Hallowed be your name. The second is Your kingdom come. The third is Your will be done. The fourth is Give us this day our daily bread. The fifth is forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Forgive (ἀφίημι; aphiemi) is an imperative verb. It is a plea by believers for God to pardon them from the power of sin having previously pardoned them from the penalty of sin. Eventually, the Lord will deliver each believer in Christ from the very presence of sin.

“Jesus calls Himself the bread of life (John 6:35), revealing how He satisfies our spiritual needs as well. This is also evident in our asking God to forgive us our sins (Luke 11:4a). Though Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice has destroyed the power of sin and paid for our transgressions (Rom. 6:11), they still disrupt our fellowship with God. Thus, we are in continual need of forgiveness. Asking the Father to cleanse us from sin reminds us of our need and His fidelity (1 John 1:8–9),” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“Our request to be forgiven assumes that we are forgiving others (Luke 11:4a). If we do not pardon those who have wronged us, we cannot expect God to forgive us (Matt. 18:21–35). This does not mean our forgiveness is some good work that earns us favor with the Lord. Rather, when we imitate God and forgive others, just as He absolves those who repent and turn to Christ (Col. 3:12–13), we show that the Spirit has moved in our hearts to give us faith,” concludes Dr. Sproul.

Have a God-centered day today as you hallow His name, acknowledge His rightful reign as King, obey His will, ask Him to meet your needs and forgive your sins as you forgive others. Blessings!

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9–13 ESV)

Perhaps with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the Lord’s Prayer is one of the most recited and remembered portions of Scripture. Wall hangings in many homes display it, children memorize it, and gifted singers regale audiences when they sing it. For the next several days, our attention is occupied with studying and understanding it.

However, rightly understood this familiar text is not so much the Lord’s Prayer as it is the prayer of the Lord’s disciples. Additionally, it is not to be unconsciously repeated. Rather, it is to be a guide for prayer. Jesus instructed His disciples about the proper order and contents of biblical prayer. “Christ does not enjoin His people to pray in a prepared form of words, but only points out what ought to be the object of all our wishes and prayers,” explains John Calvin.

The prayer consists of six petitions. The first three focus on the glory of God. The remaining three pertain to our relationship with the One, True, and Glorious God. Its structure is similar to the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17). The first petition is Hallowed be your name. The second is Your kingdom come. The third is Your will be done. The fourth is Give us this day our daily bread.

Kingdom focused prayer begins by focusing on hallowing God’s name, acknowledging His rule and reign in our lives, and seeking and doing His will. All three of these disciplines are perfectly done in heaven. Believers in Christ are to pursue them during their sojourn on earth (I Perter 2:11-12).

Kingdom focused prayer does not ignore one’s daily, physical needs. If our needs were important enough for Jesus to mention them, then it should be important enough for believers to pray for them.

Most of us grocery shop on average once a week; perhaps more and sometimes less. In America, we possess large refrigerators with a freezer. Some even have additional freezers in their garage or basement. Food spoilage today is rare. This was not the case 2,000 years ago.  

“The fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer has us asking the Father to “give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). Refrigeration has largely eliminated the threat of spoilage and the need to make everything we eat fresh on a daily basis. Most of the West does not worry about food scarcity and shortages. Consequently, we often fail to remember our utter dependence on the Creator to provide for all our needs,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“We are to pray for our survival. God pledges to meet our basic needs (Ps. 37:25), not to provide luxuries at all times. Bread was a staple of the diet in biblical times and was served at nearly every meal. To have bread was to have life, concludes Dr. Sproul.

Have a God-centered day today as you hallow His name, acknowledge His rightful reign as King, obey His will and ask Him to meet your needs. Blessings!

Soli deo Gloria!