Here's to Forty - Sunday September 07, 2014
Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? Proverbs 20:6
Forty is a number with Biblical significance. Sometimes it is connected with judgment, as in the worldwide flood generated by forty days of rain. The children of Israel wandered about in the wilderness for forty years, a judgment on their rebellion. The Ninevites were warned by Jonah to repent; if they chose not to, destruction would come on the city in forty days.
Other times forty is connected with God's preparation for service, or testing of a man's heart. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before being called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He spent forty days on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. King David was tested as he reigned forty years as Israel's king, as was his son Solomon. Jesus spent forty days in fasting and prayer, being tempted by Satan before starting his public ministry. And Jesus spent another forty days following His resurrection, initiating His reign here on earth as the King.
This year the number forty is significant to our family as it marks the fortieth anniversary of my husband Dave's ordination as pastor. Dave often expressed that he felt "hardly a pastor" when he first started out. Youth and inexperience were cited; yet over these years of "ruling" as a pastor and testing, God found a man after His own heart. In these forty years, Dave has remained loyal to his God, his church and association of churches, his fellow leaders, and his wife and family. In it all, he, like Moses, purposed to walk with God. I thank you, Dave, for your example and celebrate this fortieth year. You are a trustworthy man.
Submitted by:
Dawn Bovenmyer
Stonebrook Community Church
Ames, Iowa
One-Year Reading Plan:
Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Psalms 51:1-19
Proverbs 22:24-25
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