The Number 40

The rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights during the great flood.

Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

Elijah traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Jonah proclaimed throughout Ninevah that the city would be destroyed in 40 days.

Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, before being tempted by Satan.

The ancient Church established Lent as a period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter.  It is a time for self-denial, fasting, repentance and contemplation.  One of the things I contemplate is the way that God chooses certain numbers and uses them again and again.  It is good to recognize the number 40 as one of these.

TV~   (Today's Verse)
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.  [Acts 7:23]