Yesterday, I wrote that instead of devoting all my energy into being upset at what’s going on in the world, I might consider asking God what I need to repent of. Here’s another approach, straight out of Matthew 6.

…so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6.4, ESV)

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6.6, ESV)

…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. (Matthew 6.18, ESV)

Easy to summarize:

• Give, pray, and fast in secret
• My Father sees in secret
• My Father will reward me

First, this speaks to God’s omniscience. He sees in secret. Next, it raises the question: what is the nature of this reward? Do I pray to be rewarded? Or is the reward the answer to prayer? Or are there rewards in heaven for people who give, pray, and fast? (I don’t know!)

In light of all of my complaints right now, articles and blogs pointing out injustice in the world, especially those violating my “rights” as an American Christian, maybe I should be giving, praying, and fasting in secret rather than loudly complaining.

We just experienced Passion Week. Jesus gave his life in the cruelest way imaginable.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53.7, NKJV)

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2.5 – 8, ESV)