Forty Days

In the middle of our 40 days of fasting and praying (soon to be followed by forty days of feasting and praying??), God has been speaking to me about the lasting impact of 40 days ‘intensive’.

If you’re a numbers person (its okay, no maths here), you will know that 40 is often touted as the biblical number of trial and testing, epitomised by the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4). It’s interesting to see throughout scripture the number of ‘40 day’ instances and to observe the circumstances before, the challenges throughout and the concluding impact of such a season.

Noah endured 40 days of rain (Gen 7) cooped up in an ark with only his family and a random assortment of animals for company – the result however was the destruction of that which was unrighteous and the birth of a new season: a fresh breath of new life across the earth. Moses spent his 40 days up the mountain in the presence of God (Ex 24-34) during which God spoke to him face to face, as friends would, and he received clear instruction and revelation on behalf of the people of God.

The Israelite spies spent 40 days in the promised land and along with the rest of the Israelites, endured a further 40 years in the wilderness ‘for their sins’ (Num 14v34), after which they finally entered the promised land and eventually enjoyed the freedom and good food! David defeated Goliath (1 Sam 17) after 40 days of confrontation and (faithless) fear in God’s army. Elijah travelled 40 days to the mountain of God (1 Kings 19) when God clearly spoke great challenge and direction to him in a gentle whisper. The people of Nineveh were given 40 days by God (Jonah 3v4) to fast, pray and repent before the destruction of their city – they did and God had mercy on them!

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4) before his earthly ministry began and all heaven broke loose on earth! Jesus also spent 40 days on earth between his crucifixion and ascension, ‘doing and teaching’ before he knew it would be better that he went and we have the Holy Spirit.

The lessons for us, I believe, are clear. This season we are in is a ‘God season’: a divine process of repentance, revelation and re-focussing. The lasting impact of these 40 days will be one of new life, fresh revelation, lasting victory, glorious freedom and lives full of the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus emerged from the wilderness (full of the power of the Spirit) the immediate effect was that he became well known throughout the surrounding country, and the name of Jesus spread rapidly. Amen to that for us in Coventry!