“My Post-Forty” ~ ✨
“Forty”—whether forty days or forty years—often represents a complete period in the Bible, used to describe one historic moment after another. For examples:
· The first “forty” was forty days and nights of God sending rain upon the earth, because human wickedness was great and every thought of their heart was only evil continually (Gen 6:5; 7:4, 12).
· The prophet Moses entered the cloud and went up Mount Sinai, where he met with God for forty days and nights, receiving the tablets of stone to instruct the people (Exo 24:12, 18).
· After the Israelites worshiped the golden calf, the prophet Moses went up Mount Sinai alone for a second period of forty days and nights with God. He neither ate bread nor drank water. God wrote the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments, on the tablets (Exo 34:28).
· Because the Israelites repeatedly rebelled against God, He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years, under His discipline and punishment. God allowed the prophet Moses to instruct them with the “Law,” equipping them before they entered the “Promised Land.”
· Queen Jezebel of the northern kingdom of Israel sought the prophet Elijah’s life, causing him to flee to the wilderness, where God sent an angel to comfort and care for him. Afterwards, he travelled forty days and nights to the mountain of God, Horeb, to receive God’s instruction and a new commission (1 Kings 19:2-18).
· The first three anointed kings of Israel—Saul, David, and Solomon—each reigned for forty years. This period marked Israel’s founding and prosperity over 120 years. Subsequent days saw the nation’s decline and fall due to the people’s persistent rebellion and lack of repentance before God.
· After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and nights (Matt 4:1-2).
· After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to over five hundred disciples over a period of forty days, teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3; 1 Cor 15:6).
I see a spiritual significance in the Bible’s “forty.” It seems to represent a process of testing, refinement, preparation, and transformation. Through obedience to God, one’s spirituality grows, preparing for the next historic moment. Consider Moses: the forty years growing up in Pharaoh’s court before his call, the forty years fleeing from Egypt to Midian after having killed a man, and his transformation there from an Egyptian prince to a simple shepherd—God was training him for later great use. Jesus’ temptation and fasting for forty days in the wilderness also prepared Him for His ministry.
Looking at the recurring “forty” throughout Scripture points to a hidden path of spiritual growth—it is not merely a measure of time but a sacred refining process. From the Flood’s judgement to Moses receiving the Law, from wilderness wandering to Jesus’ temptation trial, each “forty” marks a turning point of breaking and rebuilding, and death and new birth. This reminds me of the Psalm: “We went through fire and water, but you brought us out to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:12).
After our salvation, do we also have this profound experience of our Lord Jesus Christ—be it forty days and nights, forty months, or forty years? From a spiritual perspective, “forty” is a potent reminder of transformation and renewal. It can cause the old self of the past to gradually grow into the stature of Christ, becoming a “new creation,” fit for God’s use.
May we all have a spiritual “forty,” keeping our appointment with God who waits for us on earth, to meet Him in eternity 👇🏻
“Appointment · Meeting” ✨
The world does not know You in good days.
In bad days, even Your own complain.
The human heart is vile and unreasonable,
yet in my eyes, I see Your loving-kindness.
The boundaries You set—no one can fully discern.
The dates You have fixed—who can truly know?
The vast heavens were created by You.
Both establishing and keeping the covenant is Your work.
Fortyfold and again fortyfold…
How long will You still forbear?
✨✨💖 ~
en yan hua fang 