“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
It was a crazy consequence…or was it? I was sitting at the computer trying to figure out what to write. I thought about the eclipse, but I hit that a couple of days prior and it was rapidly disappearing in the rearview mirror, and it wasn’t due to reappear in our area for another 375 years. I’m pretty sure that none of us, or the sun, moon, and earth for that matter, will be around for that one! So, after pondering for a few minutes, I realized that something important had happened in my life and I should share.
On Sunday, April 7, 2024, I shared with the church family that I was planning on starting the next chapter in our Jesus journey. I would be stepping down as Senior Pastor after 24 years. Oh, it wasn’t a sudden decision. Judy and I had been praying and talking and talking and praying about it for more than a few months and we felt it was time for us to surrender to whatever the Lord has next for us. So, we waved the white flag.
Well, anyway, about that consequence thing. I realized that in April of 1984 (as in exactly forty years or four decades ago) I began my final preparations to leave the Air Force to begin my new life as a full-time vocational pastor. Now trust me…that was a giant leap. At that time my wife Judy and I had two small daughters, ages three and two. We were leaving something we dearly loved, the Air Force, and jumped into a world with no health insurance and a much smaller income. While on the surface I was confident I was also very nervous.
Well God was more than faithful and we found ourselves once again jumping and once again leaving something we dearly love (our vocational career as pastor and wife). The big truth is that the same God that was faithful forty years ago is faithful today. The same God who led us to four wonderful congregations over the last forty-two years, will lead us till the sun sets. And yes, the same God who took care of us as we raised our girls will take care of in the coming days. Just as a standby I told a couple of our deacons to be ready—we might have to move in with them. Smile.
So, God’s timing is always perfect. If you do a little research in the Bible you will find that more than a few times the number forty is a big deal! One of my favorites is the fact that Jesus stuck around after His resurrection for forty days just to encourage His disciples. How great is that. I think He timed this out so I could remember His faithfulness and take another leap of faith. I’m sure there are many more Grits stories coming and I am also sure some of them will speak of His faithfulness. Our desire is to finish well…celebrating each day and remembering that God is good, God is faithful, and God can be trusted. If you find yourself at a place where it is time to jump into the unknown, and surrender, don’t worry, you can rest assured that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne
The significance of 40 days in the Bible is profound. It often symbolizes a period of testing, preparation, and transformation. Let’s explore some instances where the number 40 appears in the Scriptures:
- Noah’s Flood: When God destroyed the earth with water, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12).
- Moses: After Moses killed an Egyptian, he fled to Midian and spent 40 years in the desert tending flocks (Acts 7:30).
- Mount Sinai: Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18).
- Intercession: Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).
- Maximum Lashes: The Law specified a maximum of 40 lashes for a crime (Deuteronomy 25:3).
- Israelite Spies: The Israelite spies took 40 days to scout out Canaan (Numbers 13:25).
- Wandering: The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5).
- Samson’s Deliverance: Israel served the Philistines for 40 years before Samson’s deliverance (Judges 13:1).
- Goliath’s Taunt: Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David defeated him (1 Samuel 17:16).
- Elijah’s Journey: When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
- Jesus’ Temptation: Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2).
- Resurrection to Ascension: There were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).
While the number 40 doesn’t always carry a specific symbolic meaning, it emphasizes spiritual truths related to testing, growth, and transformation. God’s patience and our reliance on Him during challenging times are highlighted through this recurring period of 40 days
Grits with Grace 