"400"

 

“400”

 

This is “Article #400” since I began this “Pastoral Ponderings” series in November 2014. Over the eight years of this journey God’s given me thoughts and Bible truths from history, nature, sports, current events and other areas but many if not most have grown out of what God’s taught me from my own life experiences. I thank Him most but couldn’t have continued without Karen’s support and input. I’m truly blessed by my Heavenly Father and earthly mate.

Some interesting “400’s” include:

*57 Major Leaguers have amassed more than 400 career home runs.

*20 players have had a season batting average of .400 (the last was Ted Williams at .406 in 1941).

*Only 2 pitchers have accumulated more than 400 victories: Cy Young (511) and Walter Johnson (417).

*23 NBA coaches have won more than 400 games in their careers.

*8 NFL quarterbacks have thrown more than 400 touchdown passes (Tom Brady is still at it).

*There are 400 members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (1 per 3500 residents). By contrast, each of New York’s 150 Assembly members represents about 135,000 constituents.

*400 is an HTTP status code describing an error caused by an invalid request.

*400 years ago—1622 wasn’t an especially significant year in history but it saw several Thirty Years’ War battles, the canonization of Ignatius of Loyola and the birth of the French playwright Moliere.

God’s Word tells of three approximately 400 year periods in which He brought His people through difficult circumstances:

*The Israelites’ bondage in Egypt (Acts 7:6).

*The chaotic times of the Judges (1 Kings 6:1. The Hebrew grammatical structure suggests 80 years of the reigns of Saul and David followed 400 years of governance by the Judges.)

*The “Silent Years” between the end of the Old and beginning of the New Testaments (“But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son….”—Galatians 4:4, TM, emphasis added). God then resumed speaking to humanity but in a way He never had before (“…in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son….”—Hebrews 1:2, emphasis added). And He introduced “…a new and living way….” (Hebrews 10:20) to enter into the presence of and relationship with God: “…the blood of Jesus….” (Hebrews 10:19). The price has been paid, forgiveness offered—but it’s up to you and me to receive it by faith. What will your/my answer be?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan