Day 40: A period of testing, trial or probation

While Preparing for Day 40 I found this.................

"The number forty usually has to do with testing in the Bible.  There are dozens of examples to show this.  From Jesus to the children of Israel in the Wilderness, the number forty shows that testing and trials are sometimes associated with this number and so we read in the Scriptures that the number forty generally symbolized a period of testing, trial or probation.  As has been said, a faith that is not tested cannot be trusted.

Today, God is still testing His people but often this testing is seen as a punishment but as in the case of Job, this testing is not always for reproof or correction but to see if they will seek God and still praise Him even in the storms of life.  As I wrote earlier, a faith that is not tested cannot be trusted so if you are presently experiencing a trial or a test, don’t grow weary or faint and don’t give up because God may not necessarily be disciplining you but may be testing you to see how strong your faith and trust in Him really is.  I pray we can all pass the test and remain obedient to God and have our trust in Him remain unshaken."

As a child my FAVORITE Bible story was the one of Moses! My grandma (Joan) would read this story to me over and over again... It wasn't until this "season" that I realized what God wanted me to know about Moses.
“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents…
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…
By faith he left Egypt…
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood…
By faith they passed through the Red Sea…”
Hebrews 11:23-29

In 2009, Ryan and I went to Kenya! We both were changed by that trip! I came across this video that Shana shared a couple years later (as an update so I could see her). Faith was a little girl with HIV that showed me what "Faith" really means! In the midst of disease, poverty, and frustration she shared the love of Jesus Christ! She was steadfast and knew her purpose! What I admired about Faith was her faith! Regardless, of what was going on around her she was focused on glorifying God! As I watched this video I was reminded of our trip to Kenya in 2009... Our longing for a family, direction, and struggles! This video shows that God was faithful and he indeed gave us children. I'm so thankful to be in a completely different place spiritually than I was in 2009. God has shaped me and prepared me for this season. 

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We have hit the 40 day mark! I feel our faith and trust is stronger! James 1:2-8 (ESV)2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Our "season" is longer than 40 days, but I can fully understand why 40 days is used so often in the bible! Spend tonight talking to your spouse or parent about how God has changed/prepared you for the seasons of life ahead or a past trial.

May God continue to please you as he has us! God is GOOD! All the time God is GOOD!


If you want to dig deeper below is another good find:)

Here are some examples of the Bible’s use of the number 40 that stress the theme of testing or judgment: 

In the Old Testament, when God destroyed the earth with water, He caused it to rain 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12). After Moses killed the Egyptian, he fled to Midian, where he spent 40 years in the desert tending flocks (Acts 7:30). Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18). Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25). The Law specified a maximum number of lashes a man could receive for a crime, setting the limit at 40 (Deuteronomy 25:3). The Israelite spies took 40 days to spy out Canaan (Numbers 13:25). The Israelites wandered for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5). Before Samson’s deliverance, Israel served the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1). Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David arrived to slay him (1 Samuel 17:16). When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

The number 40 also appears in the prophecies of Ezekiel (4:6; 29:11-13) and Jonah (3:4).

In the New Testament, Jesus was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2). There were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3)."