“​Secret Strength”

March 25, 2026 Daily Devotional: “​Secret Strength”Matthew 6:17-18  ​"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." ​ At the time these words were spoken, religious performance was at an all-time high. People would purposely look disheveled, weary, and somber to signal to everyone around them just how "holy" and sacrificial they were being. They wanted the applause of men, and Jesus essentially told them: Congratulations, that's the only reward you're going to get. Fasting is one of the most counter-cultural things a person can do. In a world that screams for us to "consume," "post," and "display," fasting asks us to abstain and hide. Jesus’ instruction to "wash your face" is a call to professional and spiritual integrity. He isn't saying we should be fake; He is saying that our spiritual discipline shouldn't be a performance for others. When we fast, we are essentially saying: "My source of power doesn't come from what I consume, but from Whom Iserve." ​The "reward" Jesus mentions isn't always a public miracle. Often, the reward is internal clarity. There is self-control in proving to yourself that your impulses don't run your life. The perspective ofrealizing that the "urgent" fires at work aren't as big as the God you serve. Learning to lean on the Spirit for energy when your physical reserves feel low is dependence and confidence on Him. In the middle of a busy workday, fasting acts as a "silent background process." While your physical body might feel a bit slower, your spiritual "bandwidth" is opening up. You are choosing to trade a physical appetite for a spiritual hunger. It is not just about emptying; it is aboutrefilling. If you simply stop eating but don't start praying, you're just hungry. Sometimes fasting can make us "hungry" or irritable. Challenge yourself today to show extra gentleness and patience to a difficultclient or a frustrating technical ticket. Let the "Fruit of the Spirit" be your evidence of a successful fast. Every time you feel a hunger pang or a craving, treat it as a "push notification" from God. Instead of reaching for a snack, reach for a short prayer: "Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me."  In a world that screams for attention, Jesus invites us into a whisper. ​ Jesus isn't interested in your "spiritual resume." He’s interested in your spiritual intimacy. See if you can go the whole day without mentioning your fast to anyone. Let it be a private, powerful connection between you and your Father.