Recently our Golden Retriever underwent surgery. Following his procedure, his vet recommended we keep him calm for 2 weeks while his incision healed. Anyone who owns Goldens knows that is asking a lot as Milo stays in hyperdrive from the time his eyes open until they close at night. To keep him still, I had to administer calming medication twice daily, which changed his personality entirely and left him staring at me all day with these sad, red eyes. Nothing seemed right about this situation, but I knew I had to do what the vet ordered so that Milo would return to his once vibrant self after his stitches were removed.
According to www.biblestudy.org, “God uses numbers [in the Bible] to reveal His design, plan, and will.” For example, the number 40 appears 158 times in the King James Version. The number 40 is thought to exemplify a period of trials and testing during which spiritual growth and transformation result.
In the book of Genesis, it rained on earth for 40 days and nights. Moses murdered an Egyptian man and hid in the desert for 40 years. He would later hike to the top of Mount Sinai and spend 40 days and nights in God’s presence, twice. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. The giant Goliath goaded the Israelite army for 40 days. Jonah was sent to Nineveh for 40 days to warn them of their upcoming destruction if they did not repent. Elijah went 40 days without food or water on Mount Horeb. Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert by Satan for 40 days following his baptism. After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and others for 40 days.
What isn’t mentioned in numerical terms in the Bible, but is just as significant, is the number 41. After raining for forty days and nights, on day 41 the rain stopped. God called Moses to help Him free the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt during year 41. Moses spent forty days and nights with God on Mount Sinai, and on day 41, he descended the mountain with the Ten Commandments. The Israelites entered the promised land during year 41. David defeated Goliath on day 41. Nineveh chose to repent and return to God on day 41. On day 41, Elijah prayed and rain returned to Israel after a three-year drought. After tempting Jesus for forty days in the desert, on day 41 Satan fled. And after spending forty days with His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven on day 41.
Personally, after wandering through my own desert and trials for forty years, it was in year 41 that my deepest prayer was answered and my son was born. No one particularly enjoys the trials and tribulations we encounter in life, but if we lean into the lessons we can learn during these times of testing, we can come out on the other end stronger than before.
Forty-one days after his surgery, Milo is now (literally) bouncing off the walls again, better than before. Friends, if you are starting to feel weary from your desert wandering, please don’t give up - 41 is coming.
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
According to www.biblestudy.org, “God uses numbers [in the Bible] to reveal His design, plan, and will.” For example, the number 40 appears 158 times in the King James Version. The number 40 is thought to exemplify a period of trials and testing during which spiritual growth and transformation result.
In the book of Genesis, it rained on earth for 40 days and nights. Moses murdered an Egyptian man and hid in the desert for 40 years. He would later hike to the top of Mount Sinai and spend 40 days and nights in God’s presence, twice. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. The giant Goliath goaded the Israelite army for 40 days. Jonah was sent to Nineveh for 40 days to warn them of their upcoming destruction if they did not repent. Elijah went 40 days without food or water on Mount Horeb. Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert by Satan for 40 days following his baptism. After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and others for 40 days.
What isn’t mentioned in numerical terms in the Bible, but is just as significant, is the number 41. After raining for forty days and nights, on day 41 the rain stopped. God called Moses to help Him free the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt during year 41. Moses spent forty days and nights with God on Mount Sinai, and on day 41, he descended the mountain with the Ten Commandments. The Israelites entered the promised land during year 41. David defeated Goliath on day 41. Nineveh chose to repent and return to God on day 41. On day 41, Elijah prayed and rain returned to Israel after a three-year drought. After tempting Jesus for forty days in the desert, on day 41 Satan fled. And after spending forty days with His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven on day 41.
Personally, after wandering through my own desert and trials for forty years, it was in year 41 that my deepest prayer was answered and my son was born. No one particularly enjoys the trials and tribulations we encounter in life, but if we lean into the lessons we can learn during these times of testing, we can come out on the other end stronger than before.
Forty-one days after his surgery, Milo is now (literally) bouncing off the walls again, better than before. Friends, if you are starting to feel weary from your desert wandering, please don’t give up - 41 is coming.
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
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