Several times over the past 35 years of ministry, I have taught a series of lessons that share the importance of the number 40 in scripture.
Each time I teach this series, I implement a game that uses the number "40" as an attention-getter.
I call it "The Number 40's game"...what else?
The object of this game is simple...I teach and they listen for me to use the number 40.
If I say "40", and they are the first person to raise their hand and shout out "40"...I will toss them a piece of candy.
It is a perfect way to get...and keep their attention.
However, I did not realize the impact until sometime later.
Each time that I teach the series, I have a brand new group of kids...whose goal in life...is to catch me saying the word Forty.
It can days...weeks...months...even years...after they have gone through the series...and they are still trying to catch me.
If I am speaking...anywhere...and they hear me say "40", they will shout "40" back at me.
Some of my kids are even young adults now...and they still participate.
The number 40 is mentioned in Scripture 146+- times. It normally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, probation...or judgment. Sound familiar?
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When I think of the number 40, my first thoughts...and probably yours as well...turn to the flood. It is a time where God judged sinful mankind.
"Rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”
Testing...trial...probation...judgment!
But the good news is...God restores!
"But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded". Gen 8:1 ___
After killing an Egyptian, Moses fled Egypt and lived in the desert wilderness for 40 years.
"When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian..." Exodus 2:15
Testing...trial...probation...judgment!
But the good news is...God restores!
"Now I am sending you to the king of Egypt so that you can lead my people out of his country.” ”Exodus 3:10
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Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights...on two separate occasions...receiving God's laws.
While Moses went up Mount Sinai (40 days), the Israelites rebelled and made a golden calf.
They failed to wait the 40 days for Moses to come down off the mountain.
“Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them....” Exodus 32:10
Testing...trial...probation...judgment!
But the good news is...God restores!
"Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened". Exodus 32:14 ____
The prophet Jonah warned the people of Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins.
"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.” Jonah 1:1
Testing...trial...probation...judgment!
But the good news is...God restores!
"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened". Jonah 3:10
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Are we experiencing a "number forty" time of Testing...trial...probation...judgment?
Are we turning from our sinful ways? Are we leaning on God to help us through...or are we just hunkering down and waiting out the flood?
Have we lost sight of God? Have we lost sight of family...and friends...and loved ones?
Is this a wake-up call?
While Noah and his family were sitting inside the ark...with no tv, no internet, no cell phones etc...were they just passing time? Was it business as usual? Were they running around filling their days with tasks and chores and activities? Or were they forced to STOP everything they were doing...and HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY and SEEK GOD'S FACE?
A time of testing...trial...probation...judgment. HOW ARE WE DOING?
We are now on day 20+- of the President's Forty-five-day plan...how are we doing?
The good news is...God restores...again and again!
Is God using the number 40 to get our attention? Will we learn by our mistakes and remember for days...weeks...months...even years after this testing...this trial...the probation...this judgment?
Intercede for our world! Pray for eyes...and hearts to be opened...for people to seek His face...for families to be restored...for priorities to be righted...for peace...for humbleness...for calm within the storm.
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land". 2 Chronicles 7:14
We are fast approaching Good Friday...a time when God restored the world! A time when Jesus took all of our sins upon Himself and restored our world!
Call on His name!
I am praying for each of you! Be strong and remember to take time for yourself...and your own family. Let God work through you...let go of the wheel!
Have a blessed day!