Dailies ~in His Word
February 16
This is a time of year that many people fast and pray for different
reasons. The question that was asked of Jesus was why His people were not
fasting, being as they were disciples and seeming to teach the Word of God it
was something the Pharisees though was ‘just so wrong of them’. After all, they
were perfect and fasted all the time on a regular basis even! Silly Pharisees did not realize God was right
there with them but they were condemning in attitude.
Jesus explains in Matthew 9: 14-17, and Mark 2:18-22 and Luke 5:33
about fasting being something that had to be tempered with mercy. He was
quoting the prophet from the Old Testament to explain that though God required
sacrifice there would be one that would be connected to God’s mercy. He also
mentioned a clue to the fact he would be taken away from them, being as Jesus
was the one true sacrifice for all.
So fasting is a sacrifice, we give something up to show how we can
be obedient to God’s request for a fast, or we give up something to replace
that thing with time with God. Whatever the reason its all about the fact that
we are giving God more of us, more of our lives, focus and hearts. It is about sacrificing the thing sure, but
what is important is the mercy, that we encourage one another to trust God, to
repent of our sins and become believers; the Pharisees were condemning them and
God wants to give mercy. The mercy we received at the cross, the experience of
God accepting us as we are that is what is important and Jesus wanted them to
know that.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to
repentance.” Matthew 9:13
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your mercy
and grace in our lives today. Help us to know that You look on the sacrifice of
the heart not just the body today. Strengthen our resolve to do your will
whether with fasting or with focus, that we would put our trust in You in all
we do. In Jesus name, amen.
Teresa M. Wilson