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.

Whose admiration and praise am I seeking? How will I gain it?

When we seek to honor God and earn his admiration, this is a different process from seeking to gain praise from mankind. In this world, there are many who like to tell of all the things that they do that are praiseworthy. This is frankly a waste of breath, because God doesn’t want to be associated with them. They are arrogant.

Conversely, God appreciates people who are humble, and do not have to shout from the mountain tops all the good work they do. He desires a heart that seeks to please him and him alone.

Whether it be fasting or good works of other sorts like donating money or time, or serving at church, we should do this only for the admiration and praise of God. Many of those around us will admire some things and not others. They will praise us when times are good and not praise us when things are challenging.

God, however, is faithful and he rewards those who earnestly see him. In fasting, we are to seek to draw close to God. If we do this with a sincere heart (one that’s not about gaining accolades from others, but it is all about drawing close to God) then we will find that God draws close to us.

The thing about fasting is that it is supposed to be abstaining from something that we depend on, to depend on God more. And the funny thing about how The Pharisees conducted themselves during fasting is that, instead of trying to depend on God more, they were busy trying to gain approval from others. Let us not fall into this trap.

Instead, let us look for any way we can to continue to draw close to God, gain a heart of love from him, and serve in our communities with the light of Jesus in our hearts.

Lord, thank you for this passage and it’s encouragement to me to have a humble and contrite devotion to you. I should only be looking for your approval, at all times.