Sunday, 2/15/2026

The Significance of 40 Days and Selah in the Bible?

Luke 24:27

Acts 1:3 (NLT)

The number 40 seems to have special significance in Scripture:

The rains fell for 40 days and 40 nights before Noah’s flood (Genesis

7:4).

Moses spent 40 days in God’s presence on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:18).

The 12 spies spent 40 days exploring the land of Canaan (Numbers

13:25).

A Generation wandered in the wilderness 40 years (Numbers 14:32).

Jonah warned Nineveh of coming judgment in 40 days (Jonah 4:4).

Jesus was tempted the wilderness for 40 days (Luke 4:2)

Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection

(Acts 1:3).

When you see the number forty, pay attention because it usually

means that God is about to do something significant in the world.

The phrase “40 days” is mentioned in the Bible more than 20 times –

some in the Old Testament and some in the New Testament.

Genesis 7:4

Genesis 7:12

Exodus 24:18 

Exodus 34:28 

1 Kings 19:8

Jonah 3:4

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert wilderness before he began his

public ministry. During those 40 days, Jesus was tempted by evil to

sin in ways that are common to all humanity in this fallen world. 

Acts 1:3 

The phrase “40 days” in the Bible designates a period of time to

complete an important spiritual challenge.

When the Bible uses that phrase, something challenging that leads

to spiritual growth is always taking place within the context of 40

days.

Often, the spiritual challenge involves repentance from sin and

strengthening faith

At other times, the spiritual challenge involves overcoming

temptation

A 40-day challenge may also involve a vital meeting with God

The Bible uses the phrase “40 days” to refer to the challenge that

Jesus gave people who encountered him between his Resurrection

and Ascension – to believe in the good news of the Gospel and to

begin saving relationships with God.

The significance of 40 days in the Bible is that God allows us to go

through challenges in order to grow spiritually.

The 40-day time period highlights the importance of strengthening

our faith by relying on God’s help in challenging circumstances.

God has designed us all to be lifelong learners and to inspire you and

me to seek Him more through learning, reflection, and prayer.

Proverbs 3:5-6

The word Selah which means: Hit the Pause Button, stop meditate

on this.

Sometimes you just need to pause.

Psalm 46:10 

The same Holy Spirit who came as a mighty rushing wind also brings

the gentle breeze.

You do not always have to hurry to get things done.

Sometimes God is doing most in us when we are not in a hurry at all.

The Hebrew word Selah is meant as an intentional pause in the

reading. A planned pause. It is found 74 times in the Old Testament,

71 times in the Psalms, and 3 times in Habakkuk.

Much is accomplished in the pauses of life

Psalm 37:7a NLT

Psalm 46:10 ESV

Isaiah 40:31 NLT

We reflect; God realigns.

The pause does not mean simply “doing nothing” or filling the hours

with entertainment and recreation.

The pause should have a purpose.

 Pause to ponder.

 Pause to pray.

 Pause to praise.

 Pause to plan.

 Pause to prioritize.

Someone wrote: “The Power of the Pause has a basis and that basis

was that the greatest way to place an emphasis is not to talk longer

or louder, but to learn how to pause and let the truth sink in. The

principle is good for all of life. Clarity comes through the pause.

Silence is good. Stillness is necessary.

Selah 40 day challenge for us can begin this coming Wednesday

February 18 with an Ash Wednesday opportunity from any time from

11am to 1Pm or any time between 5:30 and 7:30.

On Sunday February the 22 you will begin a 40 day challenge ending

on our Lord’s Supper Service Thursday April 2.

During this 40 day Challenge, we all will fast from the things that

tend to occupy way too much of our time like social media, TV,

maybe Several days of fasting from food or food that you know you

shouldn’t eat. Whatever you choose but when you do Pause to read

and meditate on God’s Word, study the Word. Pause to pray and

repent what you need to repent from. Pause to praise the Lord.

Pause to prioritize your life where Jesus is at the center of your Life.

Pause to ask God to help you make the most of the opportunities you

have to witness to someone or encourage some one. Pray for

someone.