I received this magnificent painting in my inbox from Suzi—one of my social media friends. Her 19 year-old daughter, Kayla, painted it after being told by Suzi how much my book 41 Will Come impacted her. Thank you, Kayla, for creating this beautiful reminder that the sun will always rise above the mountain—and it will be beautiful.
In the Bible, the number 40 signifies relentless rainfall and neverending storms. (Just ask Noah.) After Noah built the ark, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came, and the rain stopped.
After Moses committed murder, he hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God gave Moses a second chance—commissioning him to rescue Israel from slavery in Egypt.
After the Exodus, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41 came, and a new generation entered the Promised Land.
For 40 days, Goliath bullied and taunted Israel, just begging for someone to come fight him. Day 41 came, and David stepped up and slew the giant.
For 40 days, Jonah delivered a message of doom and gloom to the city of Nineveh—that God was going to destroy them because of their wickedness. Day41 came, and God changed his mind and instead extended mercy because the Ninevites had responded and repented.
After being baptized in the Jordan River, Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Day 41 came, the devil fled, angels showed up, and Jesus launched his monumental ministry.
The pattern is clear. The number 41 represents the dawn of a new day—the hope and promise that if you don’t quit, the rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your “promised land.” God believes in second chances. Your fulfilled vision is right around the corner. Your 41 will come.
Forty-one resuscitates hope, restores the sunlight, and returns the calm after the storm. Forty exemplifies exile in the far reaches of a scorching desert, with no end in sight. Forty-one wipes the slate clean and gives birth to second chances. Forty symbolizes the consequences of bad decisions and disobedience—and the postponement of promised blessings. Forty-one turns the page on a new chapter, a new calling.
Maybe you’ve been stuck in a downpour or lost in the desert for what has seemed like 40 years. Maybe you’re hiding from an enormous giant—or running away as fast as you can. Maybe you’re so hungry for God to move in your life—or in the life of a son, daughter, mother, father, other family member, or friend—that you can taste it, but it feels as if it’s never going to happen.
Do you feel so spiritually empty that you desperately need a fresh start? Have you just about given up on the future because you feel stuck and defined by your past? Here’s the good news: The story’s not over. Forty-one is still out there. Let this painting become your personal reminder that things will get better, the rain will stop, the sun will shine, the day will break, the page will turn, the answer will show up, the pipe dream will become reality, the Promised Land will be inhabited, and the giant will fall.
41 will come.
~Chuck
