Press the arrow to listen to Desperation Band sing “Counting on God” while you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David. 1 Chronicles 27:23-24

Observation
David took a census. What was the big deal? Governments count heads. That’s what governments do. Why did God threaten David with a triple whammy because he wanted to make a book of pie graphs?

There is a great difference between counting up the nation and counting on the nation.  David was doing more than counting noses, he was moving his confidence from depending on the Spirit of the Lord and onto the biceps of his nation.

The Absolam insurrection was over. The nation was in a time of peace. David’s final retirement was looming. Perhaps the aging king was nervous about the transfer of power. Another son would rebel against him before Solomon was placed on the throne. Maybe he wanted to take stock of his resources before the final battle.

Application
Whatever his motive, David did what any of us do when things are going well. We depend on the gifts and not the giver. It is God’s good desire to bless us richly, whether it be a slice of bread or a place to call home. Then he wants us to live as if we did not have it with total dependance on him.

This morning I held a simple glass of water in my hand, chilled from the refrigerator. I thought to myself, that even something a simple as this drink must be seen as a gift and not a possession. I should live with a sense of awe and wonder at the grace in air to breathe, a chair which to sit, a roof that collects the rain and a pillow to call my own. That should lead me to a life of profuse gratefulness thankful for every moment of life.

When I live without counting and instead count on God, then there is no limit to the resources he can draw from to help me. There are infinite resources in God that are not found in a tally sheet. When I live detached and grateful there is no end to what God can do to rescue me.

Prayer
Father, let me live with nothing as if I have everything; and when I have everything as if I have nothing. And in so doing let me live in your abundance, available whenever I have need. Amen.