Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Saturday, October 17, 2020

Theme: THE PRACTICE OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

Text: “Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.  Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.” – Matthew 6:16.

Comment: Fasting is voluntary abstinence from food and water for a period for spiritual reasons. Unfortunately, out of spiritual ignorance and in an attempt to show off their spirituality, some Christians today publicise their fasting, contrary to what our Saviour said in Matthew 6:17,18.

Besides, publicising fasting, it is also not a practice of God’s righteousness to be fasting and yet engaging in acts of wickedness.  This was made known by God Almighty through Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 58:3-8. “…Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarrelling?  This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.  Is this what I want …No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn.  I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor and destitute, Clothe those who are cold and don’t hide from relatives who need your help.  If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you.  He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, and goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. – (Living Bible).

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