40 Days at 40 Years
The number 40 holds significant symbolism in the Bible. It is often associated with periods of trial, testing, and transformation. Throughout Scripture, God uses the number 40 to mark seasons of renewal and growth, times when He refines His people and draws them closer to His heart.
Genesis 7 | This passage tells how God sent rain for 40 days and 40 nights. This was a representation of cleansing and renewal.
Exodus 24:18 | “Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” This is when Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Numbers 14 | This passage tells of the 40-year period when the Israelites wandered in the desert. This was a time of purification before they entered the Promised Land.
1 Kings 19:8 | “So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.” Here Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, where he then encountered God.
Matthew 4 | Many of us know the word in this passage where Jesus fasted in the wilderness where he resisted the temptations of Satan.
Acts 1:3 | “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
The list of symbolism continues and I encourage you to search more into the significance of the number forty. As for me, there is now one more reason to add to my list of reasons why this number is very special.
Recently, a friend posted information about The 40-Day Sugar Fast. Before I began, I felt ashamed that I had never truly completed a fast. This thought almost deterred me from starting.
If I’m being honest, I was drawn to the idea of cutting sugar, and I liked the thought of having a book to guide me, one that would also provide scripture to lead the journey. I wanted to remove something significant from my life and turn to God to fill the void.
Sugar—soft drinks, coffee (with lots of sugar and creamer and just a little coffee), candy, and desserts—wasn’t necessarily bad. However, these were the things I turned to when I was anxious and overwhelmed, when I wanted to celebrate, and sometimes just to get through the day. I realized I had given these things power over my life. I was running to them instead of turning to God when I needed help. I celebrated with desserts instead of giving thanks and glory to Him. When I saw the post, I knew it had been placed in my path at just the right time.
There has been a stirring in my heart, and I feel that many of you have experienced the same. Authentic worship has been restored within me, and a deep desire to draw near to the Lord has become a constant prayer in my life. This period of fasting has drastically challenged me to remove certain things from my life, draw closer to the Lord, and seek Him in all things. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that allows us to set aside time for prayer. It often precedes a victory, a miracle, or an answered prayer.
The first few days were difficult. Sugar withdrawal is real! As I removed sugary items from my diet, I replaced them with Scripture and prayer. When trials arose at work or home, I sought God’s guidance and understanding. Instead of rewarding a good day with a donut or chocolate, I lifted prayers of thanksgiving.
As the days progressed, my need for sugar diminished, while my longing for time with God only increased. I felt convicted to replace mindless scrolling on my phone or watching TV with delving into scripture and praying for those God placed on my heart. I cannot even put into words how satisfied my soul feels after just 40 days of being intentional with my time with God.
At 40 years old, I have just completed my first 40-day fast. The timing is not lost on me! As mentioned earlier, the number 40 represents trial, testing, and transformation. I wish I could say that I had a direct conversation with the Lord and could audibly hear His voice—that would be the coolest thing!
That has not happened… yet. But here is what did happen:
God opened my eyes to the things that have been keeping me from drawing closer to Him.
Matthew 6:24 | “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
I realized my tendency to try to ‘fix’ things on my own when all I need to do is turn to our loving Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 | "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I have been able to rest at night and be replenished for the next day.
Matthew 11:28 | “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Nothing in this world can truly satisfy us.
Matthew 5:6 | “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
And finally, Seek the Lord in all things.
Psalm 34:8-10 | “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Transformation has taken place in my life over the last 40 days. I am no longer ashamed that I didn’t complete a fast until 40 years old. Instead, I am thankful that God used this time to draw me closer to Him and add to a testimony that I can share with others. This has been a period of time to truly encounter God.
Application | First, I encourage you to look up the significance of numbers in the Bible. It’s fascinating! Second, pray and ask God to reveal something in your life that may be keeping you from growing closer to Him. Ask Him how long you should fast from it. Then, take that step of faith and see what God has in store for you!
Prayer | Lord, we praise You for being the Living Water and the Bread of Life! You are all that we will ever need. Thank You for meeting us where we are and sustaining us. Reveal to us things that keep us from You and help us to lay them at the foot of the cross. We long to know You more. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
Genesis 7 | This passage tells how God sent rain for 40 days and 40 nights. This was a representation of cleansing and renewal.
Exodus 24:18 | “Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” This is when Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Numbers 14 | This passage tells of the 40-year period when the Israelites wandered in the desert. This was a time of purification before they entered the Promised Land.
1 Kings 19:8 | “So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.” Here Elijah traveled 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, where he then encountered God.
Matthew 4 | Many of us know the word in this passage where Jesus fasted in the wilderness where he resisted the temptations of Satan.
Acts 1:3 | “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
The list of symbolism continues and I encourage you to search more into the significance of the number forty. As for me, there is now one more reason to add to my list of reasons why this number is very special.
Recently, a friend posted information about The 40-Day Sugar Fast. Before I began, I felt ashamed that I had never truly completed a fast. This thought almost deterred me from starting.
If I’m being honest, I was drawn to the idea of cutting sugar, and I liked the thought of having a book to guide me, one that would also provide scripture to lead the journey. I wanted to remove something significant from my life and turn to God to fill the void.
Sugar—soft drinks, coffee (with lots of sugar and creamer and just a little coffee), candy, and desserts—wasn’t necessarily bad. However, these were the things I turned to when I was anxious and overwhelmed, when I wanted to celebrate, and sometimes just to get through the day. I realized I had given these things power over my life. I was running to them instead of turning to God when I needed help. I celebrated with desserts instead of giving thanks and glory to Him. When I saw the post, I knew it had been placed in my path at just the right time.
There has been a stirring in my heart, and I feel that many of you have experienced the same. Authentic worship has been restored within me, and a deep desire to draw near to the Lord has become a constant prayer in my life. This period of fasting has drastically challenged me to remove certain things from my life, draw closer to the Lord, and seek Him in all things. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that allows us to set aside time for prayer. It often precedes a victory, a miracle, or an answered prayer.
The first few days were difficult. Sugar withdrawal is real! As I removed sugary items from my diet, I replaced them with Scripture and prayer. When trials arose at work or home, I sought God’s guidance and understanding. Instead of rewarding a good day with a donut or chocolate, I lifted prayers of thanksgiving.
As the days progressed, my need for sugar diminished, while my longing for time with God only increased. I felt convicted to replace mindless scrolling on my phone or watching TV with delving into scripture and praying for those God placed on my heart. I cannot even put into words how satisfied my soul feels after just 40 days of being intentional with my time with God.
At 40 years old, I have just completed my first 40-day fast. The timing is not lost on me! As mentioned earlier, the number 40 represents trial, testing, and transformation. I wish I could say that I had a direct conversation with the Lord and could audibly hear His voice—that would be the coolest thing!
That has not happened… yet. But here is what did happen:
God opened my eyes to the things that have been keeping me from drawing closer to Him.
Matthew 6:24 | “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
I realized my tendency to try to ‘fix’ things on my own when all I need to do is turn to our loving Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 | "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I have been able to rest at night and be replenished for the next day.
Matthew 11:28 | “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Nothing in this world can truly satisfy us.
Matthew 5:6 | “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
And finally, Seek the Lord in all things.
Psalm 34:8-10 | “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Transformation has taken place in my life over the last 40 days. I am no longer ashamed that I didn’t complete a fast until 40 years old. Instead, I am thankful that God used this time to draw me closer to Him and add to a testimony that I can share with others. This has been a period of time to truly encounter God.
Application | First, I encourage you to look up the significance of numbers in the Bible. It’s fascinating! Second, pray and ask God to reveal something in your life that may be keeping you from growing closer to Him. Ask Him how long you should fast from it. Then, take that step of faith and see what God has in store for you!
Prayer | Lord, we praise You for being the Living Water and the Bread of Life! You are all that we will ever need. Thank You for meeting us where we are and sustaining us. Reveal to us things that keep us from You and help us to lay them at the foot of the cross. We long to know You more. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
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