"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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 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."

Here's something you need to understand about fasting: it's not a tool to get God to do what you want. It's not a hunger strike to force His hand. Fasting is about intimacy. It's about saying, "Father, I want You more than I want this thing I'm laying down."

The Pharisees fasted so people would see their spiritual discipline. They made themselves look miserable, disfigured their faces, and broadcast their sacrifice because they needed the reputation. They were building their image, not their intimacy. They wanted people to look at them and say, "Wow, look how close to God they must be." But the whole time, they were far from Him because their hearts were chasing approval, not acceptance.

David said something powerful: "I will not give to God that which costs me nothing." That simply means this: if what you sacrifice doesn't mean anything to you, it doesn't mean anything to God. So fasting isn't about going through religious motions. It's about gladly giving away something that matters in exchange for something that matters more, which is intimacy with your Father.

When you fast as an accepted son or daughter, you're not trying to prove anything. You're not looking for stuff or results to validate that you're spiritually close to God. You're just leaning in and saying, "Lord, I'll put this away because being close to You is worth more than this comfort, this food, this habit, this distraction."

Here's what people always say after they fast: it was sweet. They don't always say God answered all their prayers the way they wanted. But they always talk about the intimacy they experienced. That's what fasting is for. Not to manipulate your Father, but to remove the things that distract you from enjoying Him.

So when you fast, is your heart longing for intimacy, or are you just looking for things that prove you're spiritually mature? Because an accepted child doesn't need to prove anything. They just want to be close to their Father.

Tomorrow we'll tie everything together and see what it means to build your house on the rock of acceptance rather than the sand of approval.

Consider what you could fast from today or this week (not just food, but maybe social media, entertainment, or another distraction). Before you begin, pray and tell God that this fast is about wanting Him more, not about getting something from Him. Keep it between you and Him.