I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:1-3)
Spring comes, the days lengthen and lent is upon us. In Forty Long days comes Easter, counting not each day of our Lord’s victory over the death that once owned us.
Just as for Forty Long days the Lord cleansed His earth (Genesis 7:12), and as for Forty Long days Noah waited to seek dry land thereupon (Genesis 8:6), and as it took Moses Forty Long days on the mountaintop to put His law to stone (Exodus 34:27-28), and as the Israelites were consigned to wander a year for each of the Forty Long days her spies had faultingly explored the Promised Land (Numbers 14-33-34), and as Goliath strutted proudly for Forty Long days before David brought him down (1 Samuel 17:16), as did Jonah warn the Ninevites that they had Forty Long days to repent (Jonah 3:4)—and then, as our saviour was temped for Forty Long days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2) before the Devil departed for a time—but then, as Christ appeared to His Disciples for Forty Long days from His suffering (Acts 1:3) to convince them that He lived and triumphed, to empower them to spread that good news to the four corners of this earth where, by His grace, it finds us now to provide the rock upon which we may stand together. In Forty Long days then—we will celebrate. Amen.
Just as for Forty Long days the Lord cleansed His earth (Genesis 7:12), and as for Forty Long days Noah waited to seek dry land thereupon (Genesis 8:6), and as it took Moses Forty Long days on the mountaintop to put His law to stone (Exodus 34:27-28), and as the Israelites were consigned to wander a year for each of the Forty Long days her spies had faultingly explored the Promised Land (Numbers 14-33-34), and as Goliath strutted proudly for Forty Long days before David brought him down (1 Samuel 17:16), as did Jonah warn the Ninevites that they had Forty Long days to repent (Jonah 3:4)—and then, as our saviour was temped for Forty Long days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2) before the Devil departed for a time—but then, as Christ appeared to His Disciples for Forty Long days from His suffering (Acts 1:3) to convince them that He lived and triumphed, to empower them to spread that good news to the four corners of this earth where, by His grace, it finds us now to provide the rock upon which we may stand together. In Forty Long days then—we will celebrate. Amen.
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