Day 41

I have been thinking more about what I wrote previously, “40 Days and 40 Nights.” In those 40 days we seeing a testing in some cases, in other cases we see God’s provision. But what happened after the 40 days? What happened on Day 41?


For Noah, the rain stopped on Day 41 and there was sunlight and a rainbow. God recreated (read Genesis 8 and compare to the creation story in Genesis 1).


For Moses, he came down from the mountain, twice, and presented what God had spoken to him. Moses had received the Ten Commandments. On one Day 41, Moses had to literally throw down the law at the Israelites. During those 40 days Moses did not eat or drink, I am sure he was hungry, and on Day 41 he ate and drank.


In the Book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh repented. The warning of God’s wrath that Jonah gave the people did not happen. On Day 41, God relented and showed compassion on these people, even though Jonah could not.


Having being fed by an angel for 40 days, Elijah was told to get up and move. On Day 41, Elijah goes to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God and seeks shelter in a cave. Elijah experiences a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire but Elijah hears God in a quiet whisper.


After 40 days of being taunted by a giant named Goliath, the Israelite army sends a young boy to battle him on Day 41. David demonstrates that God protects and God uses the small things for greatness. And through David, God saves a kingdom against a bitter enemy.


Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert and on Day 41 He met with the devil. We see courage and strength. We see the ability to confront lies. We see a man lowered to the point of breaking standing firm. After 40 days of not eating and a day of temptation by the devil, Jesus is attended by angels. I am sure they set up quite a feast for Him!


Jesus appeared to many witnesses after His resurrection from death. On Day 41, Jesus ascended into heaven. I am reminded of what Jesus told Thomas in John, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


God works in some mysterious ways. We are reminded of these mysteries throughout the Bible. Nothing sounds more mysterious and marvelous than the way He guides us through our 40 days and strengthens us on Day 41.