Why are we Counting?
2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalms. 30; 1 Thessalonians 2
“Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’…But Joab replied to the king, ‘May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my Lord the king see it. But why does my Lord the king want to do such a thing?’”
2 Samuel 24:1, 8
Joab’s question to David penetrated to the heart of the census request.
Why?
There are many examples of numbering and counting in the Bible, after the fact. However, when the numbers become the focus, we grieve God and lose our dependency on him as our source. Our strategies become reductionist attempts to reach our numbers. God can and does multiply ministry results one hundred times over; but our worship must be of the Lord, not the results.
Why did David count?
Pride! God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Sometimes we count out of fear. We, too, fear we might not have enough to survive or to thrive. Gideon’s army reminds us that God’s perspective is different from ours. God is looking for fully dependent worshipers and disciples whose eyes are on him. Man looks at the outward appearance; the Lord looks at the heart.
“Lord, I repent for pride, fear, and rebellion. I pray for full dependence on you, for your glory.”